Files from the Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Volume 22, Pages 93-159

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Abbott

Adcock

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Alsobrook

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W. Allen

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Antrican

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Davidson-3

Denny

Devane

Dixon

J. Graham

W. Graham

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Declaration by John Abbott concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Abbott, John
Volume 22, Page 93

JOHN ABBOTT
(Declaration of John Abbott, Pension Office, Washington, D. C., “I, 32089, Old War and Navy Division.”)

Enlisted June 1st, 1781, at Guilford, under Capt. Wm. Little, in the regiment of Maj. Armstrong and Col. Dixon, marched at once to “High Hills of Santee,” S. C., “where he remained at H’d Quarters something like two months, when he was ordered under Lt. Andrew Manning with 24 other men, to join Col. Lee’s Legion at Singleton’s Mills on the High Hills of Santee, to which regiment he was attached during the remainder of the time of his said enlistment, and that he served in said regiment under Lee, as herein stated, and under said Lieut. Manning and Captain Rudolph; that during the time of his being attached to said reg’t under Lee, as aforesaid, he was at the Battle of Eutaw Springs, and in several skirmishes with the Tories and British not worth mentioning, save the attack made on Dorchester under Col. Wm. Washington and Lee and Marion, and one troop of ——’s horse, where the British were then stationed, who abandoned the fort and burnt the same, leaving a part of their cannon spiked,” &c.

N. B. Lt. Col. Henry Dixon’s regiment was the 2nd of the new levies of Continental Troops raised after the capture of Charleston to replace the North Carolina Brigade surrendered there.—Ed.

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Declaration by Joshua Adcock concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War [Extract]
Adcock, Joshua
Volume 22, Pages 93-94

JOSHUA ADCOCK
(Extract from the “Declaration” of Joshua Adcock a soldier of the Revolution. Pension Office, Washington, D. C. “Invalid—File No. 6467.”)
 

..... “He enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1777, with Lieutenant John Low, and served in the 1st and 10th Regiments of the (N. C.) Continental Line, under the following named officers, To-wit: he was enlisted by Lieut. John Low in the month of May, 1777, for the Term of three years; at the time he enlisted, he resided in Caswell Co., North Carolina; he was attached to the company commanded by Capt. James Wilson; he was marched from Caswell County to Kingston on Neuse River, where his company joined the 10th Regiment of Infantry commanded by Col. Shepherd, Lieut. Col. Dozier, and Major Ashe. His Regiment marched from Kingston to Halifax, from Halifax to Georgetown, where himself and nearly all the Regiment were inoculated with the small pox. From Georgetown he marched with his Regiment to the Valley Forge which was head quarters. At the Valley Forge the 10th Regiment was disbanded and attached to the first and second Regiments. He fell in the first Regiment, which was commanded by Colonel Clark and Major Ashe, in the company commanded by Lieut. Callender. From the Valley Forge he marched to the White Plains, from whence he marched to Monmouth, but was not in that Battle, as he was left with the baggage. After the battle of Monmouth he was marched to West Point, from here to Elk River, where the troops took water with a view of going to Charleston, but the cold setting in so severe that it became impracticable, in consequence of the Ice to go by water, and it was abandoned. From Elk River he marched with the Army to Charleston. He was there under the command of Lieut. Shaw. He reached Charleston, as well as he can recollect, in the month of March, 1780; he remained with the army in Charleston until that city fell into the hands of the Enemy. His term of service expired on the 6th day of May, 1880, which was a few days before the city was surrendered. He did not apply for a discharge at the end of his service, as he did not think he could get home in safety, and was taken prisoner with the rest of the army. He remained a prisoner a few weeks when he made his escape and returned home.”

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DANIEL ALEXANDER
(Extract from Declaration of Daniel Alexander of Mecklenburg Co. Revolutionary Soldier. Pension Office Washington. O. W. & N. D.—Invalid File No. 2905. “Minute Man.” 1778-1781.)

“I also volunteered under Captain Martin Fifer on the same duty and at the Moravian Town over Yadkin River and also in Guilford Co. under Capt. Alexander. In this duty we were 4 months employed in 1780. We were called out and went under the command of Major Wm. R. Davie—an Attorney and Officer, later Minister to France, I believe—to join Gen. Gates near Camden. Major Davie was a tall, sallow-complexioned man with blue eyes. On getting as far as Gaston’s(?) which is near the South Carolina line, we met the American Army retreating. Gen. Gates and Major Davie had some conversation. We advanced some distance, when, on meeting some French Officers flying, we also joined in the retreat.

Gen. Gates had on a pale blue coat with epaulettes, with velvet breeches, and was riding a bay horse. We retreated as far as Charlotte very much fatigued and worn down.”

Declaration by Jesse Alsobrook concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War [Extracts]
Alsobrook, Jesse
December 26, 1832
Volume 22, Pages 95-96

JESSE ALSOBROOK
(Extract from the “declaration” of Jesse Alsobrook Private of N. C. Continentals, filed in Pension Office, Washington, D. C. O. W. & N. D. Invalid, No. 16,600. Dec. 26th, 1832.)

.....“He enlisted in Halifax Co., N. C., as a regular soldier, as well as he now recollects, on the 25th April, 1781, for one year and entered the service as a regular soldier under Captain Robert Raiford—a brave and good Captain. His Lieutenant was by the name of Dudley. A Col. Dixon and Major Armstrong commanded the regiment to which he belonged.

There were two of the Armstrong’s in the Army and one of them was called Colonel. He recollects there were two regiments of regulars from North Carolina, each enlisted about the same time and called twelve months regulars. The two were together for that time. He served in the first Regiment commanded, as he thinks, by the above regimental officers. Gen. Sumner commanded both these regiments. Among the officers of his acquaintance, from North Carolina, in the above forces were Col. Lytle, Major Donahoe, Captains Sharpe, Dixon and Lytle, in addition to those above mentioned.

Curtis Ivey was Adjutant of the 1st and Capt. Wm. Bush was Adjutant of the 2nd Regiment.

We met in small companies at the High Hills of Santee (S. C.), and joined Gen. Greene, and were then regulated into companies, battalions and regiments. Before we got to the High Hills of Santee, we had a little skirmish with Tarleton and Cornwallis across the river Roanoke at Halifax, but the only principal Engagement of much note that he recollects to have been in was at the Eutaw Springs. Two miles before we reached the place of the general engagement we had a little fight between the horse on each side. Just before the commencement Captain Raiford and twenty four men, of whom this applicant was one, were ordered by Col. Armstrong to advance ahead with two field pieces and the officers belonging to the artillery, and when we had advanced some distance in a run we discovered an advanced party of the British foot on our left in ambush just ready to fire and at that moment Capt. Raiford, commanded us to squat, and as we were in the in the act of doing so, the British fired and killed John McCoy and John Russel, two of my mess-mates. At this moment we raised and fired, and then our horse, commanded by Marion and Pickens, came to our relief, and cut that party of the British off. The general engagement then commenced and lasted for some time when the British took Col. Washington. Gen. Greene told Col. Washington that day to keep out of the fight, and save his men for a reserve, as this applicant was then told, but long before the battle ended Col. Washington and his horse broke two or three times thro’ the British lines and back but at last he was wounded. The British rushed him into a big brick house that they retreated to. In this engagement the Lieutenant of my company was wounded. This applicant and two others carried him off the field. His leg was broken by a grape shot. This applicant knows not whether he ever recovered.
 

*********

Captain Sharpe of the 2nd Regiment had on that day 29 of his men killed. Of Captain Raiford’s company there were but about 5 or 6 killed, two of whom are named above. From this engagement we were marched back to the High Hills of Santee where we stayed for most of the winter.”

JESSE ALSOBROOK.

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Declaration by Richard Allen concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War [Extract]
Allen, Richard, 1741-1832
September 04, 1832
Volume 22, Pages 97-101

COL. RICHARD ALLEN, SR.
(Extract from the declaration for pension (dated Sept. 4, 1832), of Col. Richard Allen, a resident of Wilkes County, North Carolina.)

..... That he was born on the 26th day of November, 1741, in Baltimore County the State of Maryland, the record of which is made in his old family Bible; that he continued to reside in the said County until he was twenty-one years of age when he removed to Frederick County, in the State of Virginia, where he lived about seven years, and then removed to Rowan County (now Wilkes), in North Carolina which was in the month of September, 1770. In the month of October, or November, 1775, he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer for six months in Capt. Jesse Walton’s Company of minute men (it being the first company ever raised in the county of Wilkes), of which company he was appointed first Sergeant. Immediately after the company was raised and organized they marched to Salisbury, where they remained about sixteen days engaged in training and exercising the men, after which they were discharged and returned home, where they arrived a few days before Christmas.

On the 13th day of February, following, they set out upon their march for Cross Creek or Fayetteville, having understood that the Scotch Tories were committing great depredations in the country round about that place. On their way they were joined by Col. Martin Armstrong with the Surry militia at a place called old Richmond. After joining Col. Armstrong they continued their march until they reached Randolph County, where they were joined by Col. Alexr. Martin of the Continental line with a small body of troops under his command. From thence they pursued their march direct to Cross Creek or Fayetteville. The day before they arrived at that place a battle had been fought between the Tories under Gen’l McDonald and the Whig militia under Gen’l Moore in which the former were defeated with considerable loss and a great number taken prisoners. The prisoners taken in this engagement were delivered over to Capt. Jesse Walton and his company who were ordered as a guard to convey them to Hillsboro’. They immediately set out with the prisoners for that place but before they reached it they were met by two companies of Light Horse under the command of Captains
Mebane and Shepard who took charge of the prisoners, when Capt. Walton and his company were discharged and returned home, where they arrived the 29th March, having been gone near two months.

After their arrival at home they met twice every week and continued to train and exercise themselves until their term of six months had expired. Not long after the expiration of his first term this deponent was chosen an ensign in the company of militia commanded by Capt. Benj. Cleveland, and very soon afterwards they received orders from Col. Armstrong to go against the Indians who were committing great depredations upon the frontier of the Western part of North Carolina. In this expedition they served about two weeks principally in scouring the frontier settlements. Soon after their return orders were received by Captain Cleveland from Col. Armstrong to take his company and go in pursuit of Col. Roberts (a Tory Colo.), who had embodied a number of Tories on the North-west side of the Blue Ridge. They immediately set out in pursuit of Col. Roberts and continued to pursue him and his company without being able to overtake them until they advanced considerably into the State of Virginia, when they learned that Roberts had disbanded his men and that they had dispersed. Upon receiving this information they returned home, having been gone about three weeks.

Early in the year 1778, Captain Benjamin Cleveland was appointed a Lieutenant Colonel and this deponent was appointed to succeed him as Captain of the company which commission he held until the close of the war. In the latter part of the year 1779, a call was made for troops to march to the defence of Charleston. A draft was made from the militia in Wilkes for the company and a draft also made from the Captains of Companies for a Captain to command that company. The lot fell upon this deponent and he accordingly repaired with his company to Hamblin’s old store, where they rendezvoused on the 13th of January, 1780. As soon as they could organize and make the necessary preparations they marched direct to Charleston, S. C., where they joined the third regiment of North Carolina militia, commanded by Col. Andrew Hampton. After joining the regiment they were stationed about two miles from the city at the smoky camps where they remained a considerable time and until a report obtained currency that the Tories intended to set fire to the town and thereby enable the British to effect a landing.

Upon hearing of this report Gen. Lincoln ordered all the troops into the city where they remained until the term of service of this deponent and his men expired, when they were discharged and returned home, where they arrived sometime in the month of April, 1780, having been gone between three and four months. From the month of April, to September, 1780, this deponent, with small detachments, of the men under his command, served three short tours, the precise length of each not particularly recollected, one of which was against a body of Tories assembled near the head of the Catawba river, another against Col. Bryan (a Tory Col.), who had embodied a band of Tories in the Southern part of the State, and the other against some Tories on the north-west side of the Blue Ridge. In these three tours this deponent believes he served about two months. In the month of September, 1780, information was received by Col. Benjamin Cleveland that Maj. Ferguson of the British army was advancing from South Carolina with a large body of British and Tories, upon which Col. Cleveland immediately issued orders for all the Troops within the County of Wilkes to rendezvous at the Court House. This deponent with what men he could collect repaired thither immediately and after the troops were organized they all set out on their march to meet Maj. Ferguson. Upon the way they were joined by Col. Campbell with a body of troops from Virginia as also by Cols. Sevier, Shelby, and McDowell, with troops from North Carolina. After a junction of the troops was formed, as most of them had horses, it was proposed that all those who had horses or could procure them should advance immediately upon Ferguson. This deponent had a horse and was anxious to proceed with the main army but as a great many were on foot and would necessarily be left behind, it became necessary that the charge of those should be committed to some officer. The command of the foot men was first offered to Col. Jos. Herndon but he positively refused to accept it unless this deponent who he said had more experience than himself, could be detailed to stay with him. In this state of affairs Col. Cleveland thought proper to order this deponent to remain in charge of the foot men and he acordingly done so. They continued their march, however, with all possible speed in the direction of King’s mountain but was not able to reach it in time to engage in the battle, it having been fought and the Americans with their prisoners being on their return some short distance before they met with them. When they rejoined the army they continued with them and assisted in guarding the prisoners until they proceeded as far as the Moravian towns in the County of Stokes, and after remaining there a considerable time they were relieved by Col. Winston with a detachment of fresh troops and Col. Cleveland and his men returned home, which place they reached some time in November—the precise time not recollected—but they were in service in this expedition about two months.

About the latter part of January, 1781, an express arrived at Capt. Benjamin Herndon’s, in Wilkes, from Gen. Davidson, informing that Lord Cornwallis was approaching the State from South Carolina and requesting that as many troops as possible should be collected immediately to oppose him. This deponent collected all the men under his command that he could get and set out with the other troops from the County in order to rendezvous at Salisbury; but when within about fourteen miles of Salisbury they heard that Lord Cornwallis had crossed the Catawba and was then in Salisbury. Upon receiving this information they changed the direction of their route and marched towards Salem in order to join Gen. Green who was at that time supposed to be on Dan river or near the borders of Virginia. When they had advanced as far as Person County, North Carolina, they received orders from Gen. Green to return and endeavor to form a junction with Gen. Pickens, who was expected to be advancing from South Carolina through what is now East Tennessee and to inform him of the situation of affairs, as also to conduct him through the country so that he might be within a convenient distance of Gen. Green’s army and to co-operate with him if necessary. They did return and this deponent met with Gen. Pickens at Mitchell’s river in the County of Surry, and conducted him to Salem where they joined Col. Locke with his regiment. When they left Salem Gen. Pickens and Col. Locke with the respective troops under their command separated, the former taking the direct road to Hillsboro’ and the latter taking a route leading higher up the country. This deponent was attached to the troops under Col. Locke and when they had proceeded as far as Stony Creek in the County of Guilford or Rockingham, information was received from Gen. Pickens that a large number of Tories had embodied themselves with Col. Pyles, and requesting Col. Locke’s troops to repair with all possible dispatch to meet him at Trollinger’s ford on Haw river. Col. Locke with his troops set out immediately but before they reached Trollinger’s ford Gen. Pickens had engaged with the Tories and defeated them. As soon as they heard of the defeat of the Tories they turned their course and marched directly for Gen. Green’s army which they met with near the High Rock. After remaining with Gen. Green a few days Col. Locke’s regiment was discharged and returned home together with some others of the troops. In this expedition this deponent served a month to five weeks.

In addition to the service above enumerated this deponent performed a number of short tours (amounting perhaps to twenty), against the Tories in various parts of the Country, and disarming and arresting suspected persons and bringing them to trial, but it would be impossible for him to specify the particular periods of these services.

This deponent further states that he was duly commissioned as an Ensign and Captain as stated in the foregoing declaration. He cannot now recollect by whom the Ensign’s commissioned was signed, but he believes the Captain’s commission was signed by Governor Caswell—both of which are lost or mislaid so that they cannot now be produced. 
RICHARD ALLEN, SEN’R.

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
R. ALLEN, J. P.

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Declaration by William Allen concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War [Extract]
Allen, William
September 18, 1832
Volume 22, Pages 101-102

WILLIAM ALLEN
(Extract from the declaration of William Allen, dated 18th Sept., 1832, filed in the Pension Office, Washington. “O. W. & N. D., Invalied, No. 30,822.”)

“He volunteered as a private in the militia of North Carolina about the 1st of September, 1781, and redezvoused at Hillsborough, N. C. The Captain who commanded his company he has no recollection of, only his appearance which was that of a keen active man. The Lieutenant of his Company was by the name of John Campbell, and the Ensign was Robert Scoby. He states that he was under the command of his officers but a short time, as the sequel will show, but that the Colonel of his regiment was Archibald Lytle, who was a regular officer. Much else of the organization of the troops, and of the officers, he does not now recollect. At the time of entering the service he resided in Orange Co., N. C. He was born in the State of Pennsylvania, and went to Orange at an early age. He volunteered for a six months tour and the troops to which he belonged were raised for the purpose, as he understood, of marching to join Gen. Greene at the High Hills of Santee River, thence to march to a place in South Carolina called Ninety-six, now Cambridge; but while at Hillsborough preparing to go on this expedition, the Tories under the command of Tory Fanning, and the British under Col. McDougan, came upon us and took three hundred of us prisoners, among whom was Governor Burke. He saw Col. Lytle wounded by a sword in the head by Tory Fanning. This transaction took place at Hillsborough as above stated on the 4th of September, 1781. That night we remained near Hillsborough and were carried next morning by the British and Tories to a place called Lindley’s Mill, where a pretty severe and well fought battle took place between a force of the Republicans and the British and Tories, during which engagement the prisoners were kept in a close place with a strong guard around them. He recollects well of seeing there killed the celebrated Tory Colonel McNeil. That night, after the battle of Lindley’s Mill, we were forced off by our captors and taken by Wilcox’s Iron Works to Wilmington, where we were put on board of British ships, which steered towards the West India Islands, and then tacked and disembarked us at Charleston, where the greater part remained until peace, but this applicant states that he was exchanged on the 11th of August, 1782, and came on back home in Orange.”

WILLIAM ALLEN ("X" his mark)


Affidavit made in State of Illinois, County of Gallatin.

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Declaration by John Allison concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Allison, John
Volume 22, Pages 102-104

JOHN ALLISON

That he entered the service of the United States and served as herein stated:

He entered the service for nine months in the year 1778, in the County of Orange, in the State of North Carolina, under Capt. William Lytle. We rendezvoused at Hillsborough, the County Seat of Orange County. From Hillsborough we were marched and crossed the Yadkin river at a place then called the Island Ford, as well as he recollects, continuing their march they passed through Salisbury, Charlotte, Camden, and crossed Santee river at Nelson’s Ferry, thence to Monk’s Corner thence to the Ten Mile house where we remained for some short time. From this latter place we marched through Dogester and crossed a small stream at Bacon’s Bridge. We then marched to Purysburg where we joined Gen. Lincoln.

This declarant belonging to the Third Regiment; Col. Archibald Lytle, Capt. William Lytle’s brother, was the Colonel of the Regiment. We were here stationed in the winter where this declarant was taken sick and placed in the Hospital. His brother, James Allison, then at home, learning the diseased condition of this applicant came and procured from Gen. Lincoln a furlough and took him to his father’s in Orange County where he remained sick until the troops returned home, when Col. Lytle gave him a discharge. He remained with his father, but how long he does not recollect, when he entered the militia service for three months. He has forgotten the names of both his Captain and Lieutenant. His Sergeant’s name was William Riley. The company to which he belonged, with other companies, were marched to Hillsborough where he remained until the expiration of our three months.

The object in calling and stationing the militia was to protect the town against the Tories. After the three months had expired he received a discharge from his Captain and returned home. Shortly after he volunteered, but for no particular time, under Capt. John Whiteside; his Lieutenant’s name was Joseph Allison, the brother of this declarant; General Butler was our head commander. We were marched by Gen. Butler from Orange County down to Granville Old Court House, in Granville County, where we remained some time. Some here obtained leave to return home for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of our relatives many of whom had suffered from the depredations of the British under the command of Lord Cornwallis, who, with his army, had lain in the neighborhood of this declarant’s father for two days and nights. When he arrived at his father’s he found his house stripped of furniture. They had taken a wagon and team from his father and as much corn as they could carry. This property was never regained.

He remained at his father’s one day and then went immediately and joined the troops under the command of Gen Green at Troublesome Iron Works, the next day after the battle of Guilford. The militia were here discharged after remaining a few days and this declarant returned again to his father’s.

He has no documentary evidence by which he can establish the foregoing nor does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services.

JOHN ALLISON.

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Declaration by Francis Antrican concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War [Extract]
Antrican, Francis
February 04, 1839
Volume 22, Pages 104-106

FRANCIS ANTRICAN
(Extract from the declaration for pension (dated Feb. 4, 1839), of Francis Antrican, a resident of Granger County, Tenn., aged seventy-five years.)

He states that he entered the service in the State Line of North Carolina, under Capt. Thomas Donahough, about the 25th of April, 1781, in the First Regiment of State Troops, commanded by Col. Henry Dickson, in Gen. Sumner’s Brigade, at Orange Court House, in North Carolina, and was marched to Oxford and from thence to the siege of Ninety-six in South Carolina, where we joined the Continental army under Gen. Green. This was the Spring after the battle of Guilford Court House, fought by Gen’ls Green and Morgan against Cornwallis. We were ordered on to Ninety-six to reinforce Gen. Green and at the siege of Ninety-six we lost over a hundred men and did not then take the place. This was in the month of May, a little after the middle of the month. After this Gen. Green marched his command, both Continental and State troops, to the high hills of Santee and the British retired to Eutaw Springs and in the early part of the Fall we fought the battle of the Eutaw Springs against Lord Rawdon. Gen. Green commanded in person, a hard battle, and we took upwards of a thousand prisoners there. This battle was a little past the middle of September the same year after I enlisted or volunteered. This place is about forty miles above Charlestown where the British returned and we returned to the high hills of Santee again. When we got there Capt. Donahough, who was made Major after the battle of the Eutaw Springs, commanded the detachment that carried the prisoners up to Salisbury, North Carolina, where the prisoners were put in charge of a detachment of militia who took them on, as I understood, to Virginia, and we were ordered back to join the main army again. We went on by Cheraw (?) and then to the high hills of Santee. We remained there until winter and then our detachment was ordered on to a place called the round O, and Horse Shoe. These two last places are close together. From this last place we were marched to a noted place called Bacons Bridge, in South Carolina, where I remained in the service until the latter part of May, 1782, when my time was out, being a twelve months tour, but I staid in service a month over my time of enlistment before I was discharged, being thirteen months.

About this time there were orders for a few companies of volunteer cavalry to be raised for North Carolina scouting service to keep under the Tories that were constantly doing mischief and plundering the country. When we were marched away about, or on, the first of June, and marched into North Carolina to a place called Cross Creek, where Fayetteville now stands, or about the place, we were under a Major Allen from North Carolina. This enrollment was for twelve months unless sooner discharged. I served about ten months in the service against the Tories for at this time there was no British in those quarters, and were all discharged by our commander Major Allen in both of these tours. I got a written discharge; the first was washed up in my jacket pocket and the other, in the lapse of years was lost, and I know not what become of it. The first tour my discharge was given by Col. Henry Dickson and the last by Maj. Allen as before stated. I then returned home to Orange County, North Carolina, about fifteen miles below the Court House, and moved into the upper part of the County fifteen or sixteen miles above the Court House and lived there five years, and then moved to a place in Tennessee, now Green County, Tennessee, near a place called Babb’s Mills, where in the month of September, 1793, on or about the first of the month, I joined a company under Captain John Casey ordered out by Gen. Sevier to go against the Cherokees down on the Holstein. We met and were enrolled and marched from the place not far from where Greenville town now stands to a place called Eastern station on the south side of Holstein river. We remained there to keep a lookout some time and were marched over the river to Campbell’s station, and occasionally on the scout, and at the end of three months, which was the term of time we were called out for, we were marched back to Green County and were discharged by Capt. Casey, having received a discharge and certificate for three months and seven days service. Again I was called out on a two months tour and met the first of March, 1794, and marched to Paint Rock near the Carolina line and then the edge of the Nation on the French Braod river, and discharged at the end of two months. Lieutenant Conway commanded the company. Again in November, the same year, I was called out again under Lieut. Nathan Veach and served two months at the Paint Rock and discharged about New Year, 1795 as well as my recollection. Again I was ordered out by Col. Hill. This last tour I headed the company of about forty men and marched them to Hoof’s station on the French Broad and remained there until the two months was out. At this time we were all frontier men and minute men as pioneers to save the scalps of our wives and little children, making in all nine months and seven days in the different tours against the Cherokee Indians, for all of which I had certificates for my services—when added to my former services against the British, makes thirty-two months and seven days. .....

FRANCIS ANTRICAN.

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Declaration by Westwood Armistead concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War [Extract]
Armistead, Westwood
March 05, 1844
Volume 22, Pages 106-107

WESTWOOD ARMISTEAD
(Declaration of Westwood Armistead—Pension Office, Washington “O. W. & N. D. Widow—8100.”)

State of North Carolina,
Chatham County, 5th March, 1844.

Personally appeared before me, Thomas Bell, J. P., &c., Westwood Armistead, who (&c., &c.):

“Sayeth, First that he is eighty-one years old, that when very young he was drafted into the Army in the year 1781, a short time before the Guilford battle; that at the time he was drafted he lived in the County of Northampton, and after being drafted he was ordered and did Rendezvous at Halifax on the Roanoke, in the State of N. Ca., and marched from there under Capt. Madrie to Guilford C. H.—was in the Guilford Battle—his whole Company fled, but again rendezvoused at Troublesome Iron Works, and that he was then returned a soldier for 12 months under Anthony Armistead, his brother. Then marched to Camden in the State of S. C., and was in the battle which there took place (Hobkirk’s Hill). From thence marched to Fort Motte, from thence to Augusta in the State of Georgia, and was there again in battle. From there took up march for Ninety-Six, but was by the British taken prisoner on the way in a skirmish, and carried to Charlestown in the State of S. C.; was there put on board a man of war—the name of the vessel not recalled—remained in Charlestown for some time, was carried from there to England. A fight took place on the way between the ship carrying this deponent and a French vessel. He was landed on the Island of Jersey in the English Channel; was there sick for a considerable time. On recovery was sent to Spithead prison and was there confined until peace was made. Was then sent by cartel to Havre de Grace in France. There saw the American Consul from whom he received some money and a pass, and went from there to L’Orient, and there obtained passage on board an American ship, commanded by Capt. Pearson, which landed in May or June, 1783, at Boston, in the United States. This deponent further declares on oath that he has not at any time received pay for any part of his services.”

WESTWOOD ARMISTEAD ("X" his mark)*

Test:
Thos. Bell, J. P.

*CSR incorrectly transcribed as WILLIAM ARMISTEAD

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Declaration by William Armstrong concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War [Extract]
Armstrong, William
May 20, 1833
Volume 22, Pages 107-110

WILLIAM ARMSTRONG
(Extract from the declaration for pension of William Armstrong made in Caldwell Co., Ky., May 20, 1833.)

That he entered the service of the United States and served as herein stated; to-wit:

During the Revolutionary War I lived in Lincoln County, State of North Carolina, and was a militia Captain of a company in said County when I first entered the service of the United States, which was in the month of July in the year 1780, and the following are the circumstances:

Just after the appointment of Gates to the command of the Southern army, orders were received by the militia officers to hold a draft for men to serve in that army for three months. Accordingly the draft was made and six were drafted out of my own company, as well as I remember. I was commissioned the Captain of the Company from Lincoln and commanded as such during the expedition. We rendezvoused near Charlotte and my company was placed in Col. Alexander’s regiment, and in the Brigade commanded by Gen’l Griffith Rutherford; one Wm. Rankin was Lieutenant in my company.

From Charlotte we marched down the Yadkin river and thence across Black River to Ridgeley’s Mills and there encamped for the night. But at about 12 at night we received orders to hasten our march and join the main army as soon as possible. The line of march was immediately formed and we proceeded towards Camden. During the night our advance guards had some skirmishing with the enemy’s guards, and sometime in the night we joined the main army.

About the dawn of day the battle of Camden commenced and soon ended in the defeat of our army. Having joined the main army so short a time before the battle commenced I am not able to describe the order in which Gates formed his men, but in regard to Rutherford’s Brigade, I distinctly remember it was divided into platoons and on that day I had the command of a platoon instead of my company. By whose fault this battle was lost I know not, but one thing I do know, it was not mine, for I know I done my duty. The blame was attributed to Gates, but whether he was obnoxious to the charge I will not venture to say. At any rate the loss was great and the fall of DeKalb at the head of the Continentals was an irreparable loss.

The bravery of this officer and those under him, and the undaunted courage shown by them when there was none to support them, created a universal sympathy for their sufferings and no doubt served to increase the blame against Gates. As soon as our terms of service were out we were discharged, which I think was in the month of October following, having fully served out the three months for which we were drafted. The success of the enemy at Camden gave the Tories more confidence and they became more bold, more daring, and more numerous. Assisted by detached parties of the British they marched through the country almost with impunity, committing every sort of crime. They established posts in various places and for a while seemed to have subjugated the country. Yet there was a few who kept the field, and if it is not boasting to say so, I was one. About this time I was re-commissioned by the Governor of N. Carolina and appointed again a Captain in the militia of the State. Under this commission I returned to Lincoln county to raise a volunteer company and to join Col. Dixon who had the command of a regiment of volunteer militia. But on my return to my old company I found but eight men who were good and true, the rest had joined the Tories. Such was the disaffection in that country at that time. With this eight I took the field about the first of November, 1780, and immediately joined Col. Dixon as a Captain of a volunteer company of militia. After joining him my company was augmented and increased by adding to it such as were from Lincoln County and who had volunteered and joined Col. Dixon. This made my company more respectable. Col. Dixon was stationed in Lincoln at the time I joined him where we remained for some time for the purpose of restraining detached parties of the British and protecting the inhabitants from them, for at this time Cornwallis was marching his army through Lincoln County, Northward. We were all mounted men and for a while our duties were very severe. Cornwallis lay at Ramsour’s and then crossed the Catawba at Beaty’s ford and at Cowan’s where Gen. Davidson was killed in defending the pass. Our regiment kept on the flanks of the enemy as much as possible and obstructed their march. We pursued them in this manner as far as Salisbury. Near this place I was detached at the head of eight men to Sarvis’ Mill (Rowan County), for the purpose of discovery, and on arriving there we came suddenly on 42 footmen and 15 dragoons of the enemy. They had reached there before us and discovering our approach lay in ambush and fired on us as we entered the Creek, but luckily killed none. We turned to fire but at the moment discovered the dragoons advancing on us from their ambuscade. We retreated across a contiguous old field with considerable haste. On arriving on the opposite side we halted and, strange as it may seem, we were not only not pursued, but the enemy were retreating themselves in haste, having thrown out their forage (for they were foraging party). I ordered a pursuit in turn and dispatched a messenger to Col. Dixon for aid, but none came in time to do any good and they escaped—we were too few in number to effect anything ourselves. On the next day we returned. This was sometime about the 1st February, 1781. Cornwallis was at this time in the pursuit of Gen. Morgan and Green. Morgan having defeated Tarlton at the Cowpens in January previous and taken a good many prisoners, was endeavoring to escape Northward with his prisoners, and Green, being at the head of the other Division of his army, endeavored to form a junction with Morgan, as Cornwallis was endeavoring to intercept Morgan. However, by good fortune and great exertion, both escaped, and Green proceeded on to Guilford where he made a stand and determined to fight. Dixon’s regiment stopped at Salisbury and returned again to Lincoln to oppose the Tories who had embodied in considerable numbers while the British army was marching through the country. On our return into that section of the State we found the Tories in such numbers that we were obliged to cross over the Catawba into Mecklenburg County, for we were too weak to oppose them. However, we again returned in a short time and moved from place to place as most needed our protection. Thus matters continued until the Fall of that year (1781). For after the capture of Cornwallis at York in October of that year, the Tories in that quarter seemed disheartened and it was not longer necessary for us to keep constantly in the field. Consequently Col. Dixon came to the conclusion to disband his forces, at any rate for the present and until they were wanted, and according discharged his troops sometime in the latter part of October, 1781, (I do not now remember the precise day—it is impossible).

During my service under Col. Dixon, we were engaged in many enterprises and many circumstances took place which I have not related, and indeed my memory does not enable me to describe particularly all the circumstances that happened. On my return from Camden I found Col. Dixon engaged in raising a Regiment of volunteers for the defence of the country and I immediately joined him as before stated and went into my old company to raise my quota of men—indeed get all I possibly could, and having been commissioned by the Governor of North Carolina Captain of the company from Lincoln in the expedition to Camden, and having been previously commissioned Captain of a company in Lincoln, as such officer I used every exertion to raise men for the defence of the country. I entered into this last service under Col. Dixon sometime in the month of November, 1780, about the first of that month, and continued in that service without a days intermission until about the last day of October following. I remember distinctly we were not discharged until a short time after the battle at Yorktown and surrender of Cornwallis. I will mention that during the year 1781, while I was out on service, the Tories came upon my plantation in Lincoln County and destroyed nearly all my property and among the rest they took five horses from me.

WILLIAM ARMSTRONG.

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Declaration by Wyatt Ballard concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Ballard, Wyatt
Volume 22, Page 111

WYATT BALLARD

To wit: That he, the said Wyatt Ballard, did, in the month of February, in the year 1781, at the town of Warrenton, in the County of Warren, in the State of North Carolina, enter into the regular army of the United States as a regular soldier in the company of Captain Carter for the term of twelve months, said company being a company of the Second North Carolina regiment commanded by Colonel Dixon. But Col. Dixon being absent the greater part of the year this deponent enlisted for the regiment was commanded by Major Armstrong. Said Second regiment was a part of General Sumner’s Brigade, said Brigade being a part of General Green’s command.

This applicant further states he faithfully served the United States as a common soldier in the corps before mentioned against the common enemy the twelve months for which he engaged and until near the last of April in the year 1782, when he was at Bacon’s Bridge in South Carolina discharged by General Green; that his discharge is lost.

The said Wyatt Ballard further swears that he was at the taking of the following forts: at Wright’s Bluff, on the Congaree, at Thompson’s Fort, and one at Friday’s Ferry, and two forts at Augusta, and then in the battle on the 8th of September, 1781, at Eutaw Springs, in which battle he was wounded severely by a musket ball in the right arm which wound be shows.Declaration by John Butler concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Butler, John
Volume 22, Pages 111-112

JOHN BUTLER

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Declaration by John Butler concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Butler, John
Volume 22, Pages 111-112

JOHN BUTLER

In his declaration for a pension, dated in April, 1818, in Bertie County, N. C., he stated that he was enlisted in Windsor, N. C., by Lieut. Thomas Blount Whitmell in 1776, and served in the Company of Capt. Jeremiah McClure of the Fourth N. C. Regiment, and was discharged after a service of 3 years, by Colonel Mebane, at Halifax. Wm. Hill, Secretary of State for N. C., certified February 1819, that “It appears from the Muster roll of the N. C. Continental line of the Revolutionary War that John Butler, a private in said line enlisted May 5th, 1776, for two and a half years in the 10th Regiment in Capt. Baker’s Company and was omitted in 1779.”

In November, 1820, he was residing in Bertie County, N. C., aged 66 years. He enlisted on or about May 4th, 1776, in the Company of Capt. Jeremiah McLayn or McLean, for two years and six months at Windsor, and in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Polk. He was discharged at Halifax. He was in the battle at Charleston, S. C. The bombardment of Fort Moultrie at Charleston was June 12th, 1776.

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Declaration by John Denny concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Denny, John
1833
Volume 22, Page 112

JOHN DENNY

He was in February, 1833, residing in Guilford County, N. C., aged 75 years, and states that about the middle of December, 1779, or ’80 he was drafted into the Company of Capt. Frost & Lt. Hancock, marched from Rockingham, N. C., directly to Charleston, S. C., where they went into winter quarters, and remained there until April 4th, following when he received his discharge from his Captain and returned home. The next Fall he volunteered under Capt. Andrew Wilson, in which Company he served sometimes, and sometimes in that of Capt. O’Neal “And was used to counteract the scouting parties sent out by the British while on Dan River, Va., and in Rockingham and Guilford Counties,” but does not recollect how long he was thus engaged, probably, however, he thinks, at least two months. In the latter part of June, 1781, he volunteered and marched under Capt. Robert Bell, with other Companies from the neighboring Counties, to join General Greene, at Camden, then over the Wateree to Eutaw Springs and at that place he was engaged in the battle of September 8th, 1781, which commenced early in the morning and very quickly became general. After the battle he was marched with about 300 prisoners of the enemy, to Rowan County, N. C. During the battle his Company was placed under the command of a French Colonel, named, he believed, Malmedy. He was discharged after 3 months service. His rank during his term of duty was as a private.

He was born in Ireland and brought when a child, by his parents to America and he settled in Chester County, Penn., where he lived until 1772, then with his parents moved to N. C., and settled in Guilford County, where since he has been living. In the reorganization of the Continental Army in 1778 and 9 and a more general one in the Fall of 1780 and early in 1781, Regiments and Companies consolidated which changed the officers in command, and some became supernumaries.

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Declaration by Andrew Carson concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War, including related certificates
Carson, Andrew, 1756-1841
August 22, 1832
Volume 22, Pages 113-115

ANDREW CARSON

State of North Carolina,
Iredell County.

On this 22d day of August, 1832, Personally appeared in open court now sitting for said county, Andrew Carson a resident of said county and State, aged 76 years who being sworn, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of June 7, 1832. The first campaign he served under Capt. Joseph Dixon, Lieutenant Carr or Kerr, Ensign Ewin. He does not recollect the year, but it was late in the fall—recollect the snow was plenty (it was cold)—familiarly the snow campaign—Went out to 96 (now called Cambridge) South Carolina under the command of General Rutherford—his son James Rutherford was aide to his father, Wm. Lee Davidson was Adjutant. Was engaged with the Tories at 96, S. C. Was gone three months and discharged at Sherrill’s Ford on Catawba by Captain Dixon, which discharge is lost.

The next campaign was against the Cherokee Indians under the command of Captain David Caldwell, the same general, adjutant and aid as before; started about August, 1776, lay 6 weeks at Cathies Fort, on Catawba, waited for the army to collect, marched against the Cherokee Indians, had a battle and defeated them on Tennessee River and destroyed some of their towns—don’t recollect names—was gone 3 months and discharged at Cathie’s Fort by Captain Caldwell, which discharge is lost. The next campaign was under Captain Caldwell and General Rutherford—was stationed at Purysburg on the Savannah River—remained say 4 or 5 weeks, then moved up the river to Two Sisters (so called then) S. C., with the British on Georgia side of the river, whom we were watching. As the British moved the Americans followed them for 3 days when they learned the British had moved back and the Americans retraced their steps to the Two Sisters, then to Parisburg (Purysburg) lying alternately at the two places for 4 or 5 months. During the latter part of the Campaign had a battle at Brier’s Creek, March 3, 1779, in which affair he lost two good horses. The tour was 5 months and was in fall and winter 1778-9 but he staid about 6 months owing to the relief not coming in time and was discharged by Generals Lincoln and Rutherford. From this time until Shallow Ford battle with Tories, he was engaged in several small tours of days and weeks, at a time not recollected, except one month he was out under Capt. John Read going to the Congaree, where he joined Col. Wade Hampton and was discharged. Another tour was under Capt. D. Caldwell after Tories and foraging—about 52 days. Also he was on duty for 6 weeks after the Tory Bryan who was followed down to the Pedee, under Col Lewis—overtook and defeated him at Colston’s. Also a tour under General Davidson of 4 weeks. Another of 31 days—was after the Tory Bryan under Capt. John Graham—he was at all times on the alert and considered a minute man with a good horse and arms. Previous to the battle at Shallow Ford he was informed of the marching of the Tories and mounted his horse to ride 62 miles to Headquarters of General Davidson, where he arrived about sunrise next morning, who immediately gave him the command of 52 men, with which he returned and after manoeuvering for two weeks he came upon and routed the main body of the Tories at Shallow Ford on the Yadkin after an obstinate engagement in which Captain Francis, a Whig was killed. There being no officer ranking above Captain—each one commanded his own men. He was out more or less until the battle of Guilford, where he arrived the day after it. This activity he continued until the end of the war, serving as a ranger and commanding a Company of Volunteers at other times. He omitted to state that in 1776 in May he joined Colonel Mebane at Norfolk, Va., being one months service. The Colonel was going to Charleston “but did not get on he thinks till the battle.”

He was born in Rowan County, N. C., March 1, 1756, and when in the service he was on Catawba in that part of Rowan, now Iredell County and now lives there. He was mostly in what was called the partisan warfare and very little with the regulars as the Tories of North Carolina were sufficient to keep the Whigs engaged. He had a family record as kept by his father; it is lost.

ANDREW CARSON.

This is to certify that Andrew Carson hath served fifty-two days in my Company in actual service by general orders. Given under my hand March ye 23, 1781.
D. CALDWELL,
Captain.

This may certify that Andrew Carson hath served in the public service four weeks and two days under command of General Davidson.

Given under my hand this 28th day of Feb’y, 1782.
MICHAL ELSBURRY,
Lieutenant.

These are to certify that Andrew Carson hath served in public servis two weeks after Briens and fifteen days at Deep river under the command of Captain Beasley.

Given under my hand this 5th day of August, 1782.
JOHN GRAHAM, Captain.

Inscription on tombstone in the family burying ground near Houstonville, Iredell County, N. C.:

CAPTAIN ANDREW CARSON,
Born 1st March, 1756,
Died 29th January, 1841.
He was a Soldier of the Revolutionary War.

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Petition from William Lee Davidson concerning his father's military service in the Revolutionary War
Davidson, William Lee
Volume 22, Pages 115-117

WILLIAM LEE DAVIDSON
(Petition filed in 3d Auditor’s Office.)

To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled—

The petition of William Lee Davidson showeth to your Honorable bodies that he is the son and heir of General William Davidson who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and served his country faithfully from the beginning of said war until he was killed at the battle. of Cowan’s Ford on the Catawba River, in the County of Mecklenburg in the State of North Carolina.

“When the Revolution broke out on the 22d of April, 1777, the State Congress at Halifax raised four additional regiments, to the two already in service. Of the 4th Regiment Thomas Polk was Colonel, James Thackston Lieutenant Colonel, and petitioner’s father, William Davidson, Major.

With this regiment, under General Francis Nash he marched to join the Army of the North, under General Washington, where he served until Nov, 1779, when the North Carolina line was ordered South to reinforce General Lincoln, at Charleston, S. Carolina. Previous to this your petitioners Father, Wm. Davidson had been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the line. As the troops passed through North Carolina Colonel Davidson obtained a furlough for a few days visit to his family which he had not seen for three years. This saved him from the fate that befell Lincoln at Charleston; for when he approached Charleston, he found it so closely beleaguered by the British Army, that he was prevented from joining his regiment. When Lincoln surrendered, your petitioner’s Father returned to Mecklenburg and rendered important services in subduing the Tories, who, encouraged by the success of the British became numerous, daring and dangerous.

He raised a troop of volunteers and marched against them. At Colson’s Mill he encountered a strong force of Tories, and a severe engagement took place in which petitioner’s Father was severely wounded. A ball entered the umbilical region and passed through his body near the kidneys. This had nearly been fatal. He was confined for two months with this wound. On his recovery he took the field having been promoted for his bravery to a brigadier general in the place of General Rutherford, taken prisoner at Camden, S. C. He was active with General Sumner and Colonel Davie in checking the advance of the British, and throughout this dark period of our fortunes gave unceasing evidence of his untiring zeal in the cause of his Country.

After the brilliant affair of the Cowpens (17th Jan., 1781), in which General Morgan, with an inferior force, chastised the temerity and insolence of Colonel Tarleton, Genl. Davidson was most active in assembling the militia of his district to aid Genl. Green (who had on the east bank of the Catawba joined the light corps of Morgan) in impeding the advance of the enemy, and it was his fortune to guard the very ford at which Cornwallis attempted to pass. At the head of three hundred men, he took post at Cowan’s Ford.

At day break on the 1st of February, 1781, the British Army under Cornwallis entered the waters of Catawba (then swollen by heavy rains) at Cowan’s Ford. The morning was dark and rainy. The light infantry under Col. Hall entered first, followed by the grenadiers and the battalions. The picket of General Davidson challenged the enemy, receiving no reply, the guard fired. This turned out the whole force of General Davidson, who kept up a galling fire from the bank. The guide of the British alarmed at the firing, turned about and left them. This caused an unexpected diversion of the enemy from the expected landing of the force, and Col. Hall led them directly across. Col. Hall was killed as he ascended the bank. Lord Cornwallis’s horse was shot in the river and fell as he reached the bank; three privates killed, and thirty-six British wounded.

Petitioner’s father, General Davidson, in riding from the point where he expected the enemy to the point where they landed, was shot; the ball passed through his heart and he fell dead from his horse. “Your petitioner further showeth to your Honorable bodies that in consideration of the gallant services of his Father in the defence of his country—the Congress of the United States, in 1781, passed the following resolution—“Resolved, That the Governor and Council of the State of North Carolina be desired to erect a monument at the expense of the United States not exceeding in value of five hundred dollars, to the memory of the late Brigadier General Davidson who commanded the militia of the District of Salisbury in the State of North Carolina and was killed on the first of February fighting gallantly for the defense of the liberty and independence of these States.”

That petitioner’s Father entered the service of his Country at the commencement of the Revolutionary War and continued in active service until his death at Cowan’s Ford1 —a period of more than five years, serving part of the time as Lieutenant-Colonel and part as Brigadier General.

Your Petitioner has been informed that his said Father, Genl. Davidson was entitled to seven years half pay, by a resolution of Congress passed the 24th of August, 1780, and 21st of October, 1780, and having died or been killed in service his children are entitled to whatever may be due.

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Certificate from William Hill concerning William Lee Davidson's military service in the Revolutionary War
Hill, William, 1773-1857
January 30, 1856
Volume 22, Pages 117-118

State of North Carolina,
Office of Secretary of State.

I, William Hill, Secretary of State, in and for the State of North Carolina do hereby certify that it appears from the muster rolls of the Continental Line of this State in the Revolutionary War, that William Davidson entered the service in said line as a Major in the 4th Regiment on the 15th day of April, 1776, that he was a Lt. Colo. on the 4th of Octr, 1777, in the 5th Regiment, and of the 1st Regiment in 1779. Retired from the Continental service on the 1st of Jan’y, 1781.

Given under my hand this 30th day of Jan’y, 1856.
W. HILL, Secretary of State.

(Copy)

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Report by the United States Senate concerning William Lee Davidson's military service in the Revolutionary War
United States. Congress
January 21, 1857
Volume 22, Pages 118-120

34th Congress,Rep. Com.
No. 314
3d Session.

SENATE
S. 512. UNITED STATES.
January, 21, 1857.—Ordered to be printed.

Mr. Evans made the following
REPORT.

[To accompany bill S. 512.]

The Committee on Revolutionary Claims, to whom was referred the petition of William L. Davidson, heir of General William Davidson, deceased, having had the same under consideration, report:

That the history of the military services of the father of the petitioner is fully set forth in Wheeler’s History of North Carolina, and in the Journals of Congress from 1775 to 1781. He was a member of the Mecklenburg convention, which, in May, 1775, made the first declaration of independence which emanated from the American people.

After the battle of Lexington when it became manifest that the difficulties between the colonies and Great Britain were to be decided by the sword, the convention of North Carolina raised six battalions for the common defence, and tendered their services to Congress. Of the 4th battalion, Thomas Polk was appointed Colonel, James Thackston lieutenant colonel, and William Davidson major. These appointments were made by the Congress of the United colonies, on the recommendation of the convention of North Carolina, on the 7th of May, 1776. The North Carolina troops were marched to the North, under General Nash, to reinforce the army under the command of General Washington.

In this arduous service he remained until November, 1779, when the North Carolina troops were ordered to reinforce General Lincoln in South Carolina. In the meantime Major Davidson had been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

As the troops passed through North Carolina, he obtained leave of absence for a short time to visit his family, whom he had not seen since he left them to join the northern army. It is stated in the petition, and there is no reason to doubt the fact, that when his furlough expired, he immediately repaired to Charleston to join his regiment; but when he arrived in the neighborhood, he found the city so closely beleaguered that it was impossible for him to go in.

When Charleston capitulated, in May, 1780, his regiment were made prisoners of war, and he, being out of active employment, repaired to Mechlenburgh, his native county, and raised a volunteer corps for the purpose of keeping in subjection the tories, who were numerous in that part of North Carolina and the adjoining parts of South Carolina. In this service he was actively engaged until after Gates’ defeat in August, 1780. In this battle General Rutherford, who commanded the militia of the Salisbury division, was taken prisoner, and his command was conferred by the government of North Carolina upon Colonel Davidson, who thus became a brigadier of militia, retaining at the same time his rank in the continental army, ready to resume his command when his regiment should be exchanged or again recruited.

In January, 1781, whilst General Greene was retreating through North Carolina, pursued by a superior force of the enemy under Lord Cornwallis, it became of great importance to retard the march of the enemy as much as possible, and to enable the American general to cross the Yadkin before he could be overtaken. To this end Colonel Davidson, by the order of General Greene, posted his command, consisting of 300 militia, at Cowan’s ford, on the Catawba river, which it was supposed was one of the passes by which the enemy would attempt to cross that river. This conjecture proved to be correct.

On the morning of the 1st of February, 1781, the enemy, in large force, appeared on the opposite side of the river. Their passage was resisted with great vigor and courage, and was effected at a heavy loss; but in the conflict the American commander was killed. In consideration of his gallant conduct, Congress, on the 20th day of September, 1781, passed a resolution requesting the Governor and council of North Carolina to erect a monument, at the expense of the United States, not exceeding in value $500, to the memory of the late General Davidson, who commanded the militia of the district of Salisbury, in the State of North Carolina, and was killed on the 1 Feb., 1781, fighting gallantly for the defence of the liberty and independence of these States.

Under these circumstances, the petitioner claims for himself, and the other children of Colonel Davidson, the seven years’ half-pay, to which they conceive themselves entitled under the resolution of Congress of the 24th of August, 1780, which is in these words: “Resolved, That the resolution of the 15th day of May, 1778, granting half-pay for seven years to the officers of the army who should continue in the service to the end of the war, be extended to the widows of those officers who have died, or shall hereafter die in the service, to commence from the time of such officer’s death.” A subsequent part of the same resolution gives the allowance to the orphan children of the deceased officer, in case there be no widow or she should afterwards marry. From the facts herein stated, there is no doubt that, in consequence of the death of General Davidson, his widow, if he left one, and if none, his children, who were then orphans, were entitled to the seven years’ half-pay.”

He was one of those who were entitled to the seven years’ half-pay under the resolution of the 15th of May, 1778, and he was afterwards killed in battle acting under the orders of Major General Greene. His command of the militia, and bearing the commission of a major general of the militia, could not change the legality of the claim of his family, under the resolution of the 24th of August, 1780.

The committee, therefore, report a bill to pay to the petitioner, W. L. Davidson, for himself and the other children of his father, the halfpay of a lieutenant colonel of infantry for seven years. They are not orphans now, but they were at the death of their father. If they did not receive it then, they are entitled now. Such has been the uniform construction of the resolution, as appears from many acts passed within the last thirty years.

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Minutes of the New Hanover County Superior Court [Extract]
New Hanover District. Superior Court
October 31, 1832
Volume 15, Pages 784-789

EXTRACT FROM MINUTES OF NEW HANOVER SUPERIOR COURT, OCTOBER TERM, 1832, HON. ROBERT STRANGE, JUDGE PRESIDING.
Declaration of JAMES DEVANE

Wednesday, October 31st, 1832.

On this, the 31st day of October, A. D., 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Honourable Robert Strange, one of the Judges of the Superior Courts of Law and Equity for the State of North Carolina aforesaid, presiding in the Superior Court of Law for the County of New Hanover aforesaid now sitting, James Devane, a resident in New Hanover County and State of North Carolina, aged seventy-five years, the 1st of August, 1832, 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 7th, 1832:

1. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated under the Command of Captain John Devane, Thomas Devane, Lieutenant; Archibald Sellers, Ensign, in a regiment commanded by Col. Lillington, Samuel Swan, Major, in November, 1775, and left this term of service in May, 1776; that he engaged for six months a minute-man; that he resided in New Hanover County, N. C., when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer, or this applicant thinks it was called enlisting; that he was in the battle of Moore's Creek Bridge in February, 1776; that he embodied at Black River Chapel and marched from thence to Wilmington, from thence to Rockfish Creek about ten miles below Fayetteville, then called Cross Creek, in Cumberland County, from thence he marched back to Elizabeth Town in Bladen County; that at this place he took boating and went down Cape Fear to its junction with Black River, thence up Black River to where Bear Branch empties therein, at which place he embarked and marched from thence to Long Creek Bridge; that while he was at Long Creek Bridge he was ordered up to Moore's Creek Bridge; that when he arrived at Moore's Creek Bridge he commenced making intrenchments, and an express immediately came ordering the forces up to Corbett's Ferry; that he thereupon marched towards Corbett's Ferry as far as over Colven's Creek when another express arrived ordering us back to Moore's Creek Bridge; that he then marched back to Moore's and commenced making intrenchments a little farther off than the first they had made; that Gen. Caswell and his forces arrived there that evening (being the evening before the battle) and crossed over, whereupon the bridge was partly taken up; next morning about twilight the enemy commenced firing at us; that they advanced and undertook to cross the Creek, in which a few succeeded, and among them Col. McLeod and a Captain Campbell; that all who crossed over were killed; that Col. McLeod advanced as far as the first piece of intrenchment that had been made before he was killed; that after the battle he was furloughed and went home, where he remained two or three days; that he then came to Wilmington where his company rendezvoused; that he was then employed in guarding up and down Cape Fear to prevent the British from landing who were on board their shipping in the River; that from Wilmington he marched over into Brunswick and encamped at Orton Mills; that while there, and when his six month's tour was nearly expired, Col. Lillington told this applicant he must go to work in the public Gun works near Black River in the upper part of New Hanover County, and gave this applicant a letter to Gen. Moore, who was then in Wilmington; that he then about the 1st of June, 1776, as well as this applicant can recollect commenced working in the public Gun works aforesaid and continued therein about twelve months.

Secondly. Under the command of Captain Thomas Devane in August, 1777, and was drafted for three months, but this applicant served only about one month and then hired a substitute; that he cannot remember his other officers; that during this month's service he was in and about Wilmington to defend that place and prevent the enemy, who were on board their shipping in Cape Fear, from taking possession thereof.

Thirdly. That he afterwards performed occasional tours of duty, called out as emergencies required till he was commissioned a Captain; that not recollecting the length of time he served in these short tours, he is willing to dispense with any pay he may be entitled to therefor. He received a commission as Captain in June, 1780, signed by Francis (Abner) Nash, Governor of North Carolina, and took charge of a company of men at Elizabeth Town, Bladen County; that this company had been marched there by Captain George McCulloch; that at Elizabeth Town he was under the command of Col. Johnson of Onslow County; that from thence he marched to Cross Creek and from thence to a place called Silver Run, which he thinks is in Cumberland County; from thence back to Cross Creek; from thence to Haley's Ferry on Big Pedee above Cheraw; from thence to Cheraw; from thence he was detached to Newbern to guard some prisoners thither; from thence he returned home; that he was in no battle while on this tour; that he served as Captain six months, took command in June, 1780, and his six months had expired before he was detached to Newbern by Gen. Harrington.

Fourthly. That he was ordered out by Col. Young in January, 1781, and took command of a company in Col. Young's Regiment, Thomas Bludworth, 2nd Colonel; Gen. Lillington, Chief Commander, and left service in July, 1782; that he was not in continual actual service from January, 1781, to July, 1782, but served at least four months; that he was in a skirmish at the Big Bridge across the North East in New Hanover County, in which the Americans retreated; that he took command of his company at the Bridge where he remained till the skirmish above mentioned; from thence he retreated to William Jones' plantation, a short distance below South Washington; from thence he marched back to the Big Bridge; from thence he was ordered with his company to Halfway Bluff on Long Creek to guard the Negro Head Point road; that at Halfway Bluff he obtained leave of absence; that about the time he left Halfway Bluff Cornwallis and his army came to Wilmington; that after the British evacuated Wilmington, this applicant was ordered with a few soldiers to collect wives and children of the tories and carry them to Wilmington; that he found the execution of this duty so disagreeable that he resolved to desist from it at all hazards, and would choose rather to be cashiered than to perform a duty so repulsive to his feelings. This applicant served with Continental troops at Rockfish Creek, below Fayetteville, under the command of Gen. Moore, who were also in Wilmington; the regular officers he knew were Gen. James Moore, Capt. Daves, Capt. Goodwin, Capt. Robert Railford, Capt. Joshua Haley, Capt. Joseph Rhodes, Curtis Ivey, Hardy Holmes, Capt. Porterfield, Lieutenant Kingsbury, Capt. Thoman Orrell, Capt. Joshua Bowman and Capt. Vance, also Capt. Bradley and Col. Read; that he has no documentary evidence, and thinks he can prove his service by James Lee of the County of New Hanover aforesaid, he was born in New Hanover County, N. C., the 1st of August, 1757; has a record of his age at home, was living in New Hanover county when called into service and has lived therein ever since the Revolutionary war; was a volunteer or what was then called enlisted in his first service; then drafted for three months; when he served as Captain he was a volunteer, the regular officers who were with the troops where this applicant served were Gen. Moore, Capt. Bowman, Capt. Davis, Capt. Vance and Lieutenant Kingsbury; the Continental regiment he knew was the 1st regiment of the North Carolina line; the militia regiments he knew were the following: One commanded by Gen. Lillington, one by Col. Caswell, one by Col. Johnson, one by Col. Brown, one by Col. James Kenan, one by Cols. Young and Bludworth, and two or three regiments under the command of Gen. Harrington. He does not recollect to have received a discharge from service when a private and if he did he has lost or mislaid it. He received a commissioned signed by Gov. Francis Nash and gave it to Lieut. John Bludworth to settle some rank or business among officers, its date being material in that particular, and it was never returned. The persons to whom this applicant is known in his neighborhood, and who can testify to his character for veracity and who believe him to have been a soldier of the revolution, are numerous and among them he will name the following—George Fennell, Owen Fennell, Bryant Newkirk, Rogers Lee, John Kerr, James Kerr, George Bannerman, Robert Murphy, Charles Henry and James McCalebb.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present aud 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.
(Signed)
JAMES DEVANE.

On the 31st day of October, A. D., 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Honourable Robert Strange, one of the Judges of the Superior Courts of Law and Equity for the State aforesaid, now sitting and presiding in the Superior Court of Law, for the County of New Hanover, James Lee, a resident of said County of New Hanover, who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith, that he is well acquainted with James Devane the aforesaid applicant; that he knew him some time before the Revolutionary war; that this deponent served with the said James Devane a six months tour of duty under Capt. John Devane, Thomas Devane, Lieutenant, Archd. Sellars, Ensign; that they entered the service together, not very long before the battle of Moore's Creek bridge; that they were in the battle at that place; that they rendezvoused at Black River chapel and marched to Wilmington, and from thence to Rockfish creek in Cumberland County, about seven miles below Fayetteville, and from thence to Elizabeth Town in Bladen County; that at Elizabeth Town they took boating and came down Cape Fear to the mouth of Black River, thence up Black River to the mouth of Bear Branch, a little below Moore's Creek, where they landed and marched to Long Creek, and from thence they were ordered to Moore's Creek Bridge where a piece of intrenchment was raised: that they were then ordered and marched on towards Corbett's ferry on Black River to prevent the tories from crossing and got as far as Colvin's Creek, and having heard that the tories had passed over Black River they countermarched to Moore's Creek bridge and commenced making intrenchments a little farther off than the first they had made; that after the battle of Moore's Creek bridge the company to which this deponent belonged was furloughed for a few days and went home and again rendezvoused in Wilmington, and was then marched over in Brunswick County and encamped at Orton's Mills; that while at Orton's Mills this deponent recollects that the aforesaid applicant, James Devane, was sent off and put to work in the public Gun Works established and carried on in the upper part of New Hanover County on Black River; that this deponent was on several occasions at the place where the gun making business was carried on and believes that the said applicant did work in the said Gun Works. This deponent further deposeth and saith that he also served with the said James Devane under Capt. Thomas Devane; that in this service he was in and about Wilmington, guarding that place and up and down Cape Fear; this deponent cannot undertake to state the date of this service. This deponent knows that the said James Devane had command of a company in South Carolina opposite Cheraw Mills, at which place this deponent was put under the command of the said James Devane, having been previously under the command of Capt. James Foy; that he went in a detachment ordered to guard some persons to Newbern as far as the cross roads in Duplin County, where the said Capt. Devane discharged this deponent. This deponent further says that Capt. James Devane, the aforesaid applicant, commanded at the Big Bridge when a skirmish at that place happened in the first part of 1781; that this deponent soon after this time was under the command of Capt. James Devane aforesaid at Halfway Bluff on Long Creek in New Hanover County, his company being placed there to guard the Negro Head Point road; that from Halfway Bluff this deponent was detached to carry some pieces of Artillery to Kingston.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
(Signed)
JAMES LEE.

And the said Court hereby declares it his opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Captain and served as he states.

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Affidavit of Herndon Haralson concerning Henry Dixon's military service in the Revolutionary War
Haralson, Herndon
May 11, 1840
Volume 22, Pages 120-121

LIEUT. COLONEL HENRY DIXON.
(In the Petition of Heirs of Lt. Col. Henry Dixon.)

Herndon Haralson, then of Haywood Co., Tenn., makes oath, May 11, 1840, “that in the year 1781 when Gen. Greene retreated thro’ N. C. into Virginia before Lord Cornwallis, he, this affiant, received a Captain’s Commission, raised a company of volunteers, equipped themselves, and joined the army under the command of the said Colonel Dixon and Gen’l Pickens, and marched against a body of Tories in the neighborhood of Hillsborough, then commanded by Colo. Piles, which they attacked, defeated and cut to pieces on the 21st Feb., 1781—from thence in a few days they fought the battles of Whitesil’s Mill and Guilford Court House.” Haralson also states that Dixon “Marched to the South, where in some action in which he fought he received a wound with a musket or a cannon ball, but in what part of his body he doth not now recollect.”

Note—He was wounded at Eutaw Springs, S. C.--Ed.

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Declaration by Joseph Graham concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Graham, Joseph, 1759-1836
Volume 22, Pages 121-126

JOSEPH GRAHAM

In October, 1832, he was residing in Lincoln County, N. C., aged 73 years and stated that he enlisted in May, 1778, under Capt. Gooden in the Fourth North Carolina Regiment commanded by Col. Archibald Lyttle, a part of the time was orderly sergeant and the balance Quarter Master Sergeant, the term of his service to be 9 months after arriving at the place of rendezvous at Bladensburg in Maryland. They assembled at Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, N. C., where he then lived, from thence marched to near Virginia, receiving recruits from the other Counties. The field officers on this march were Colonel Wm. L. Davidson, Major William Polk and Henry Dickson. Capt. Smith Harris and others were all assembled in Caswell County at a place called Moore’s Creek. At this place received the news of the battle at Monmouth, N. J., (June 28th, 1778) and that the British had gone to New York City, and as their services were not wanted at the North, the men became uneasy that the time of their service had not commenced and it was uncertain when it would. A meeting took place which with some difficulty was suppressed. Some officers broke their swords and some soldiers were crippled. “It was afterwards proposed to such of the soldiers as would accept, to take furloughs of which Graham was one,” and he went home to Mecklenburg some time in August. On the 5th November following he was called into the service under General Rutherford (Brigade of Militia) for 5 months, in Col. Lyttle’s Regiment. At the “10-mile house” they received their arms and camp equipage, from thence to Purysburg on Savannah River where General Lincoln commanded, and N. C. Regulars were organized in two regiments, under Colonels Lytle and Armstrong, and the Brigade under Brigadier General Sumner. Graham was in the Company of Capt. Gooden, who with Capt. W. Goodman were shortly after transferred to a regiment of Light Infantry that was increased by some Companies of Militia after Gen. Ashe’s defeat at Brier Creek (March 3rd, 1779,) and placed under the command of Colonel Malmedy, a Frenchman, and Major John Nelson of the N. C. Line. From the time the regiment was formed Graham acted as Quarter Master Sergeant to the end of the campaign. Lt. Witton (of the Regulars) who was appointed Quarter Master, being in bad health, died about the last of the year, Graham discharged the whole duty the most of the time. During this service he was in a skirmish with McGist (or McGirt) who commanded the British Cavalry before Tarleton arrived. The regiment of Light Infantry was twice detached under Count Pulaski, in one of which a Lieutenant, Chevalier DeVallier, (a Frenchman) in a rencountre with a British piquet, received a mortal wound. Graham was in the battle of Stono, June 20th, 1779, and discharged in August, 1779, at which time he was ill with bilious fever, from which he had not fully recovered at the end of two months. The fever together with the recollection of the hardships in a southern campaign along the sea coast, had so depressed his spirits that Graham did not re-enter the service until May, when the defeat of Colonel Buford (of Virginia by Col. Tarleton May 29, 1760) was announced, with a report that the enemy were advancing. The militia were ordered out en masseand he joined them. From his experience in military duties, he was appointed Adjutant of the Mecklenburg County Militia. The County being on the frontier, with no other force to protect it, a part of that regiment, and sometimes the whole, was retained most of the summer. The foot under General Wm. L. Davidson south-east of Charlotte, the Horse under Colonel Davie, in detachments, patrolled the country as far as Waco and adjoining Counties in the west that were disaffected. On the 25th of September it was reported that the British Army were on the March from Camden, which caused General Davidson to immediately march with his command towards Salisbury and ordering Graham to join Colonel Davie at Charlotte, where he should take command of such inhabitants as the alarm should bring together, which were over 50. In the arrangements by Colonel Davie to oppose the entrance of the enemy into the village, Graham was placed in command of the reserve, which covered the retreat of the Americans by molesting the advance of the British for four miles. This advance consisted of all their cavalry and a battalion of infantry, and when Colonel Davie was put in a supporting distance, a charge was made in which Graham received nine wounds and was taken from the field to the hospital, remaining two months before his injuries were healed, but the “term” of service of the militia had expired and the enemy reported to be in Winnsborough, S. C.

As General Greene was soon expecting the British to advance in force, arrangements were adopted to raise men to oppose them, and Graham engaged upwards of 50 in two or three weeks, but the principal difficulty was to procure arms, though generally they had rifles and nearly half the swords for the cavalry were made by Blacksmiths and suspended higher up on the body than the later practice, in order to avoid entangling with the limbs when acting as foot soldiers.

After Tarleton’s defeat January 17th, 1781, (At Cowpens, S. C.) the enemy in pursuit of General Morgan came to Cowan’s Ford on the Catawba River, February 1st, 1781, and in the conflict there two of Graham’s Company were killed (As well as General Davidson) and it was the only Company that left the battle ground in order and covered the retreat at the same time. On the 7th of February his Company while hanging on the rear of the British, had a conflict with them, on their march from Shallow Ford, on the Yadkin to Salem, in which they were routed. His Company lost one killed and took five prisoners. After this the N. C. Militia were placed under the command of General Andrew Pickens of S. C., and Graham’s Company, with others, under Colonel Joseph Dickson, crossed Haw River, were detached by General Pickens in the evening with part of his Company and forty-five riflemen from Rowan and marched in the night of the 17th and at light the next morning, surprised, killed and took prisoners, a guard of an officer, with his 26 men, at Hart’s Mill 1 and 1-2 miles from Hillsboro, where the British army was in camp. The evening of the same day formed a junction with Col. Lee’s Legion and a day or two after this Tarleton with his legion set out over Haw River to join Colonel or Dr. Piles with Pickens and Lee after him, including Graham’s Company, and all the militia, equipped as dragoons, were placed under Lee in rear of his dragoons.

On falling in with Piles and the Tories, instead of Tarleton passing along in front of their line drawn up, none of Lee’s men knew their character, but Lee, as his men having so recently come to the south, did not know the distinguished mark of the Tories, but when the militia came near and discovered the red strip of cloth in their hats, they made the first attack on them. Some of the blacksmith swords broke, others bent, &c. Tarleton, who was in the vicinity, as soon as informed of the result started for Hillsboro, the Americans pursued about half way and without overtaking him turned to the left up the country. The next day, with reinforcements, he attacked our piquet guard in the night in which engagement Major Micajah Lewis, a Continental officer, was killed, and the Americans compelled to retire; this was followed by various movements, which brought both armies to the south of Haw River near Alamance Creek. On the 2nd of March a detachment of 800 men, all militia, except Lee’s Legion, advanced in three columns, under his command, Graham and Company in front of the left with orders to support the left flank. After passing through a farm near Clapp’s Mills entering a coppice of woods encountered a large party of the enemy drawn up in position, a smart firing commenced, and after three or four rounds our line gave way, the ground was so hampered with thick underbrush, and the course of the Tories on the left flank, it was done with difficulty, retreated about one mile to the ford on big Alamance, where Col. Otho Williams with the regulars under his command and Washington’s Cavalry, were drawn up to support; the enemy did not pursue more than 500 yards. In the affair two were killed, 3 wounded and 2 taken prisoners of Graham’s Company, in all 7. On the first of March the time and service for which the men had engaged was up and about one-third of them would go home, the others were persuaded to stay longer, being daily in expectation of a general action.

The day after the battle Graham was directed by Lee to take 25 men to ascertain if the enemy were occupying the field and, if they had left, to follow the trail until he actually saw them which he did, on the Salisbury road within half a mile of their headquarters. He dispatched a sergeant with six men to inform Lee, and Graham with the rest of his party moved after dark through the woods in an unsuccessful effort to capture two sentinels who fired at them, but as Graham and his party proceeded a 1-2 mile up the main road met a patrol of cavalry, whom they hailed, then discharged a volley in their faces, causing them to retreat, leaving their officer a prisoner. Upwards of 100 cavalry were, as was afterwards learned from a deserter, hastily dispatched from the British camp in pursuit of Graham the same night, who met a company of Tories on the march to join them and were mistaken for Graham’s party. A charge was made with considerable slaughter before discovering they were friends. This small affair greatly discouraged the Tories in the South. A few days before they had been severely cut up by Lee’s men and the militia whom, at the time, they had supposed was their friend Tarleton. It is not known that the Tories attempted to join the British afterwards. Subsequently Graham with his Company was in the action at Whitsell’s Mills on Reedy Fork under Colonel Washington, when Col. Webster with the elite of the British army for 12 miles passed so closely as to compel Colonel Otho Williams, the commander, to fight long in expectation of a general action. Being disappointed with only heavy skirmishing, in which they had acted a prominent part, his men determined to return home. General Greene directed Graham to go with them in order to keep them in a compact body until they got through the disaffected settlement on the east side of the Yadkin River, which they passed on the 14th of March, 1781, and on the 17th most of the company arrived home. Owing to the early death of General Davidson under whose orders he acted, he received no written commission, but Colonel Dickson gave him a written discharge. During this service he was in 8 battles or skirmishes and lost four men killed, three wounded and two prisoners.

After the battle at Guilford (March 15th, 1781) the enemy having marched to Wilmington and left a garrison there, no militia service was called for in the west until the month of August, 1781, although the Tories under the protection of the British, had possession of the country south of the Cape Fear, until above Fayetteville, Colonel Fanning of the Tories, surprised Hillsboro, taking Governor Burke prisoner. General Rutherford, who was captured at Gates’ defeat, having been exchanged, returned about this time, sent Graham orders to raise a troop of Dragoons in Mecklenburgh and many of those who served the winter before joined the troop. There were but four married men in the troop and he was commissioned as Major in the command of Colonel Robert Smith, who had been a Captain in the N. C. line. The organization consisted of three troops of Dragoons, about 96 men and 200 mounted infantry. Two days thereafter the General having received information of the embodying of Tories on Raft Swamp, who were about to retreat to Wilmington, detached Graham with the Dragoons and forty mounted infantry with orders to hold them at bay or impede their march so that he might follow and overtake them. When he did overtake them, charged with Dragoons, entirely defeating them, 20 or 30 being killed and wounded, entirely with the sabre.

Graham who was detached by Colonel Smith with one troop of Dragoons and two companies of mounted men, surprised at Alfred Moore’s plantation, a mile below the ferry at Wilmington, and defeated 100 Tories, killed and wounded 12. The next day was in an unsuccessful attack on a British garrison in a brick house that covered the Ferry opposite Wilmington, with one killed.

Graham was afterwards detached by General Rutherford with three Companies, one of which was Dragoons, by Brunswick, over Lockwood’s Folly and Wacamo Rivers, to a place called Seven Oaks, near S. C. line, and was attacked about midnight by the noted Gainey of S. C., who was then under a truce with General Marion, but appears he did not consider it binding in North Carolina. The Cavalry charged defeating them and killed one. Graham had one killed, 2 wounded and four horses killed. This service lasted over three months and was in four battles. He recapitulated his service as follows:
From May, 1776, to August when Furloughed—3 months.
From November 5th, 1778 to August, 1779—9 months.
From about June 1st, 1780, to March 17th, 1781—9 1-2 months.
From about August 20th, 1781, to 1st December—to Wilmington—3 1-4 months.

He was born in Chester County, Penn., October 13th, 1759. Removed to Mecklenburg County, N. C., when about ten years old and was present in Charlotte on the 20th of May, 1775, when the Committee of the County of Mecklenburg made the celebrated Declaration of Independence of the British Crown. Since 1792 he has resided in Lincoln County, N. C. He died November 12th, 1836.

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Declaration by William Graham concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Graham, William
Volume 22, Pages 126-128

WILLIAM GRAHAM.

He was residing in October, 1832, in Rutherford County, N. C., aged 91 years and stated that in 1776 he was appointed Commissioner to receive certain articles for the Minute Men in the Militia, by the Field Officers of the Province of N. C., at Cross Creek, he being at the time Colonel Commandant of the Tryon Militia, by an appointment of the Congress at Hillsboro, N. C., in the following words: ‘North Carolina, Hillsboro, in Congress, September 9th, 1775. This may certify that William Graham, Esq., is appointed by order of Congress, Colonel of Militia in the County of Tryon, by order Samuel Johnson, President; Andrew Knox, Secretary.’ He continued under that appointment until the military were better organized and had a regular Governor. In the year 1779 he received another commission appointing him Colonel of the Lincoln Regiment of Militia, dated at Smithfield, May 12th, 1779, signed by Richard Caswell, Governor and J. Glasgow, Secretary.

He was attacked in September, 1780, in his own house, when, with David Docky and Wm. Twitty, they repulsed about 25 Tories, killing one and wounding three as he believes. Shortly after that the Tories, with an additional number, returned to his house, removing all the moveables and clothing they found and six likely Negroes. Soon after this the officers agreed to assemble their forces at Brown’s Creek, as a better situation to watch the movements of the British and Tories, but before many arrived, and before organization they were driven from the position. While on their way back were overtaken by the enemy at Wafford’s Iron Works, where in the engagement the enemy were defeated, losing a number killed and six prisoners. The Americans had several brave men killed, among whom was Major Burrill Smith of Georgia, Thomas Scott and Capt. John Potts, that fell by the side of Graham. In a few hours after the battle, Ferguson came in sight, which caused a hasty departure from the place and after passing over Broad River, it became necessary to separate and reunite their forces. Ferguson marched on through Rutherford County to Burke County, N. C., where an engagement took place and Major Dunlap, one of Ferguson’s officers, was wounded which caused the enemy to return back. At this time the Americans began to embody and I (Graham) think the same Summer the battle of Ramsour Mills was fought” (June 20th, 1780). Graham was not in the battle but arrived there the next day in company with General Rutherford and Colonel Martin and was directed to keep in readiness as strong force as he could raise, at a moment’s warning. Large bodies could not be kept together as they had nothing to subsist on, but Graham kept up what was called a “Flying Camp.” He was over the mountains in, as he thinks, 1776, with General Rutherford against the Indians. He has in his possession many orders from different officers to perform duty, but too tedious to detail. Among them are: One from General Greene; five from General Rutherford; two from General Thomas Polk; seven from General Wm. L. Davidson and two letters of directions from Colonel Smallwood. When the war commenced he was wealthy, with a firm constitution and was stout, but in the seven years, in the prime of life, he served with all his strength and fortune, in defence of liberty and has lost all. This service as Colonel of Militia was more severe than that of officers in the regular army for the Militia in active service are without camp equipage, no commissary, no munitions of war, except by accident. Now he is old and blind.

He was born in Augusta, Va., in 1742, and when the war commenced he was living in Tryon, now Lincoln County, N. C.

He was the oldest Colonel in the frontier parts of North Carolina and much of the arrangements for their protection devolved upon him; such as selections of localities for Forts, which had to be erected and provided with a garrison. He names Waddleboro, Earles White Oak, Russells and Botts, as Forts under his direction and superintendence and to whom spies reported.

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Declaration by Pleasant Henderson concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Henderson, Pleasant, 1756-1840
Volume 22, Pages 128-131

PLEASANT HENDERSON.

He was residing in September, 1832, in Huntingdon, Carroll County, Tenn., and stated that he was born in Granville County, N. C., January 9th, 1756, and lived in N. C., until May 21st, 1830 when he removed from Chapel Hill in Orange County, the seat of the University of N. C., to Tenn., where he arrived July 7th following, and since that period continued to live in Carroll County, Tenn. Early in 1776 he volunteered in his native state, at the time the militia was called to suppress an insurrection or assemblage of Tories at Cross Creek near Fayetteville, with intention to join Josiah Martin, the Colonial Governor who had taken refuge on board a small naval vessel stationed at the mouth of Cape Fear river, in the County of Brunswick. The volunteer companies were promptly raised in Granville County, one commanded by Cuthbert Hudson, the other by
Thomas Satterwhite, of at least 75 men each. To the latter Henderson was attached as Sergeant Major and both marched to Hillsboro (probably, though blotted) to join the volunteers of Orange county, from thence going to Cross Creek, under the command, he thinks, of Colonel John Butler, afterwards General Butler, where they joined a Company of Continental Troops commanded by Capt. Robert Rowan. The next, or the succeeding day, a considerable force from the more western Counties arrived under the command of Alexander Martin of the Continental line. As the Tories had been defeated a day or two before Henderson arrived at Moore’s Creek bridge (February 27th, 1776) he did not remain longer than was necessary to make prisoners of as many Tories as was possible, but returned, with others, to their respective homes—absent one or two months. In the latter part of summer or Fall of 1778 a brigade of Militia was ordered to be raised and sent to the aid of S. C. and Georgia, to serve six months after being mustered at Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and Henderson volunteered and was appointed Lieutenant in the Company of Capt. Richard Taylor, of Granville County, in the regiment of Colonel James Landis.

At Hillsboro, on his march to Charlotte, the company joined some troops of the line, going leisurely to the point of rendezvous, collecting drafts, volunteers, carriages, provisions, etc. At Charlotte were a good many officers of the line, among whom was Colonel Dixon, Colonel Lyttle, Major Nelson and others. From thence marched to Charleston, arriving in the vicinity about the middle of December, and a few days thereafter General Lincoln came as commandant of the Southern Department. About Christmas intelligence was received that the British had landed at Savannah, defeated the troops there and were in possession of the town (December 29th, 1778). He was immediately ordered to Purysburg on the S. C. side of the Savannah river, about 20 miles above Savannah, where they joined the remains of the defeated army from the latter place and he became acquainted with Colonel Roberts of the Artillery, Colonel Mason, Capt. Doggett, who afterwards was killed in the battle of Stono (June 20th, 1779) and where also he met his brother William Henderson, Colonel or Lt. Colonel of, perhaps, the 3rd Regiment of the S. C. line, the same who was subsequently a General and wounded at Eutaw Springs (Sept. 8th, 1781). Soon after the arrival of the troops at the
encampment, General Lincoln arrived and established his headquarters in the town. His principal aid was believed to be Edward Everett, of Virginia.

General Lincoln ordered a corps of Light Infantry to be organized, consisting of one Company of Regulars and three of Militia from the N. C. Brigade, with the command to Col. Lytle and Major Nelson. The Militia Companies were promptly filled from the brigade by volunteers and Henderson was assigned as Lieutenant in one of the Companies, commanded by Capt. Jameison. In a few days it was ordered to Augusta on the S. C. side of the river, with all possible dispatch as the British were pushing up a detachment on the Georgia side of the river. This march of 100 miles was performed in four days, taking possession of a Bluff, on the S. C. side, called Fort Moore Bluff. The following morning the enemy arrived and took possession of Augusta. In a week or two General Ashe with reinforcements also arrived from North Carolina and as Senior officer assumed the command. It was not long before the British evacuated Augusta and as quickly as possible the troops crossed the river in pursuit until intercepted by the destruction of the bridge at Brier Creek, which also prevented the junction with a strong detachment under General Rutherford, for the want of boats. Before it could be effected the enemy being reinforced from Savannah returned by a circuitous route and surprised General Ashe with an easy victory. Major Henderson was not in the battle, for the day after the arrival of the army at the bridge, he was selected and sent by General Ashe to Purysburg, General Lincoln’s Headquarters, with a verbal communication, as to the wants and condition of his army. The intermediate country being so infested by Tories that a communication in writing was unsafe and impolitic. The battle of Brier Creek was March 3rd, 1779. The army retreated to General Rutherford’s Station, the Twin Sisters Ferry, and remained in a great measure inactive until the expiration of its term of service about the last of April. “Henderson was appointed Paymaster of Colonel Sanders’ (or Landis) regiment in which he was an officer as aforesaid.”

His third and last tour of duty was in 1761. In consequence of Lord Cornwallis entering the State of N. C. in pursuit of the prisoners taken at the Battle at Cowpens (January 17th, 1781), the Legislature or the Governor ordered a regiment of 200 mounted infantry to be raised and gave the command to Colonel Malmedy, a Frenchman (though Henderson believed he was a Colonel on the Continental establishment), who appointed him, unsolicited, Major. The troops were embodied about the time Lord Cornwallis was at Hillsboro, N. C., and General Greene to the Northward, near the Va. line. The regiment did not join General Greene until two days after the battle at Guilford (March 15th, 1781). Several counties south of Hillsboro were proverbial for the Toryism of their inhabitants and General Greene in order to prevent their joining the British army, directed its march into the disaffected Counties, there to manouvre in the best manner to intimidate the people and prevent them from strengthening the British Army. The regiment joined General Greene at the Iron Works in Guilford County to which he had retreated after the battle at Guilford, and in a few hours it was ordered back to its former ground and did not join the General again until the day after he reached Ramsay’s Mills in Chatham County. He detached it the same evening to Wilmington, a point to which it was believed, Lord Cornwallis was retreating, where, and in the vicinity, the regiment remained until their service expired. The only skirmish the regiment had with the enemy was at Ramsay’s Mills when a party of horse attacked, as the regiment made a charge on a picket guard not many yards from the quarters of Lord Cornwallis. Had it not been from the circumstance that the guard was surrounded by a strong fence that the horse could not break over the whole ground, a Captain would have been sabered. As it was it resulted in killing two of the advanced sentinels and capturing two. Henderson was ordered by Colonel Malmedy to cover the retreat of the horse and consequently could not lead in the charge. A letter on file states he died about December 10th, 1846.

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Declaration by Benjamin Hester concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Hester, Benjamin
Volume 22, Pages 131-132

BENJAMIN HESTER.

In February, 1833, of Granville County, N. C., testifies that he joined Captain Taylor’s Company at the Troublesome Iron Works the day after the Battle of Guilford C. H., and distinctly recollects the two incidents related by Capt. Taylor, viz: The attack on Tarleton’s Dragoons and the affair at the cabin, as recited by him. He thinks, however, that the name of the party wounded in retreating from the cabin and who afterwards died, was Capt. Crump (instead
Drake). The hat that fell from his head when wounded was taken possession of by his brother Jo. Hester, who was present at the time. His brother John was also one of the party. Benjamin Hester states that DeGloback, who was with Taylor in the attack on the pickets of the enemy, had no commission at that time, nor did he receive it until afterwards near Wilmington, as his expression at the time of receiving it was “Dam’em, I will fight them to the very hell.” The 3 prisoners taken in that attack were wounded by the sword of Benjamin Hester. The two first were sentries at their post. On their retreat he captured the third who was sheltered behind a tree and he drove him along before him until he came up with the rest of the Company from whom he had been partially separated. DeGloback immediately ordered him to kill the Hessian, which was not done although somewhat maltreated. He was in the pursuit of Cornwallis to Wilmington, N. C.

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Affidavit of William Hunt concerning the service of a regiment of the Granville County Militia in the Revolutionary War
Hunt, William
Volume 22, Page 132

WILLIAM HUNT.

William Hunt, a witness, of Granville County, in December, 1832, stated that in August, 1780, a regiment of mounted Volunteers was mustered into the service in Oxford, Granville County, N. C., commanded by Col. Phil. Taylor of which he (Hunt) was Major, which marched through Hillsboro to Salisbury, where was embodied another regiment of Volunteers under Col. Davie who took the command in chief of both regiments, from thence going to Charlotte, but before reaching the latter place, a detachment of the main body in advance had an engagement with the rear of the British Army, in which a son of General Locke was killed. The command had no particular destination but to follow Cornwallis, so as to protect the country from the ravages of the enemy and to harass his army. They were for short periods at 6 Mile Creek, 12 Mile Creek and at Waxhaw Creek. When Cornwallis crossed the Catawba River they returned to a place or settlement called Providence, where they remained until relieved by General Smallwood. Their term of service was for three months but the General in command refused their discharge by reason of the unprotected situation of the country until one month later, when relieved by General Smallwood. John Taylor, Sr., was in the regiment, of which Hunt had in part the command, but he was employed occasionally in the Commissary Department.

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Declaration by John P. Ives concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Ives, John P.
August 14, 1832
Volume 22, Page 133

JOHN P. IVES.

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA—Craven County—88.

On this 14th day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, personally appeared in open Court before George Wilson, John Harris, and John Brinson the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the County of Craven, JOHN P. IVES, a resident of said County, aged seventy-eight years in October next, who being first duly sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832:

That he volunteered in the militia about the beginning of the Revolutionary war under Thomas Hyre and marched to Wilmington, North Carolina; that this was for a term of three months—he was discharged and came home to Craven County. He remained at home about five or six months and then enlisted to serve six months, to be completed after leaving the State.

He remained in the State about three months after enlistment and then marched to Charleston under Capt. Weeks—William Caswell was Colonel (son of General Caswell). He remained at Charleston and news arrived that the British had taken Savannah. He was then marched to Augusta, the British and Tories retreated from Augusta, towards Savannah, the Whigs pursued under General Ashe. At Brier Creek, the enemy set fire to the bridge and while the Whigs were at work upon it they were surprised and after a little skirmishing retreated. Declarant says that his Captain (Weeks), took violent cold in crossing the Savannah river and died at a place called the Two Sisters, about four or five miles from Brier Creek. The defeat at Brier Creek happened just about the time his term of service expired and he was regularly discharged at Kinston, N. C. In the course of the same year he enlisted for three months under John Council Bryan and was employed in guarding prisoners and marched with prisoners to Halifax twice.

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Declaration by James Jones concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Jones, James
Volume 22, Pages 133-135

JAMES JONES, OF DAVIESS CO., KY.

Vol. in Inf. 1778 in Co. Rowan, N. C., under Capt. Wm. Wilson, John Todd, Lt., Alex. Dobbins, Ensign, Reg. under Col. Francis Locke, Brig. Gen’l Ruthherford. Rendezvous at Salisbury, N. C., marched thence through Mecklenburg Co. to Camden, S. C., thence to Santee River, crossing at Nelson’s Ferry; thence to Charleston, remained some days, thence to Purysburg on Savannah river, where we joined Gen. Lincoln and the main army. Another time the B. army were marching near the S. river in Ga. Both armies seemed for some time watching each other on opposite sides of the S. river. Capt. W. was ordered from the main army and posted on a lagoon running into the river between Tubber’s ferry and the Two Sisters’ Ferry, and I was one of the guard sent with him. During the winter we had a skirmish with the B., who were ascending the River in boats near a place called the White House, where our commissary stores were deposited; thence by a forced march we went up the river to reinforce Gen. Ashe, who was encamped on Briar Creek in Ga., and we had reached the Ferry on Savannah river off wh. Gen. Ashe was encamped and heard the firing of the Guns and a part of the army had answered, and we met Ashe on his retreat from the B. army. The whole army then retreated back and encamped at the Two Sisters’ Ferry, where we remained some weeks and thence we marched to a place called Turkey Hill, where we remained until the 10th day of March, 1779, when we were discharged, from whence, however, we were marched to our Co. off back to our homes in Rowan Co.—discharged, he thinks, by Col. Locke.

In 1780 I served a tour of three mo’s in Mecklenbug Co., under Capt. Thos. Cowan, Lt. Saml. Knox, and Ensign John Morrison. Our Co. were horsemen. The Cols present with the army were Craig and Barringer. Gen’l Morgan who comdd. the Regulars, was our cmdr. Were scouting on several occasions and made attack on B. at Polk’s Mill, under Capts. Hart and Dixon. B. army then occupied Mecklenburg C. H., but be4 our discharge they retreated from Mecklenburg and marched back into S. C. Out 3 months.

In the fall 1781 volunteered as private in Rowan Co. for 3 mos. under Capt. Rich. Simmons. Lt. Hoodsman and Ensign John Carson. Joined army on Pee Dee, Co. belonged to Col. Smith’s Corps (Joseph Graham was Major). Gen. Rutherford was comdr. Marched to Raft Swamp, defeated a party of Tories said to be under McNeil; thence towards Wilmington, leaving Fayetteville on the left, till we arrived at a Brick Bldg. off Wilmington where there was a B. garrison, but failed for want of artillery. John Gay was killed at this place. Our commander was Col. Smith. Soon after this Capt. Simmons was ordered over the Cape Fear River, and marched on the N. E. river, which we swam on account of the B. having burnt the end of the Bridge, and marched into Wilmington, where we remained a few days, and then we marched down Cape Fear to a place called the Sounds, watching the B. vessels, which lay in the river. Here we remained until our three mo’s had expired and were discharged and went home.

This declarant further states, that during the years 1780 and 1781, he served seven tours as a minute man, which averaged at the least 10 or 12 days each tour, against the Tories, sometimes called out by the Colonels, sometimes by the Captains. These tours were in Rowan and the adjoining Cos. I was two of the afsd tours under Col. Locke and Col. Brandon, and marched as far as Broad River, where Col. McDowell was encamped. I was on one of these tours with Gen. Wm. Lee Davidson and we had a skirmish with Cornwallis’ army at Cowan’s Ford on the Catawba, and Gen. D. was killed at this place about the 1st day of Feb., 1781, as well as this respondent now recollects. This declarant served several other minute tours, which he does not enumerate and claim pay for, but states that in the tours and campaigns before and herein specified he served faithfully fourteen months and upwards for which he asks for pay.

The applct. states that he was born in York Co., Penn., in the yr. 1760, and removed to settle in Rowan Co., where he resided during the Rev. war. About the year 1824 removed to present res. in Daviess Co. Ky., was a volunteer in all the tours performed.

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Declaration by William Lenoir concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Lenoir, William, 1751-1839
Volume 22, Pages 135-142

WILLIAM LENOIR.

In May 1833 he was residing in Wilkes County, N. C., and states he was born May 8th, 1751, in Brunswick County, Va., and lived, during his service in the war of the Revolution, in Surry (now Wilkes) County and he has resided there since. He was a volunteer in the service and that his commission as Lieutenant was signed by Governor Caswell, as he believes, but by whom his commission as Captain was signed he cannot say, as both are lost. After the said war he was promoted to higher rank in the Militia and gave no attention to the preservation of his former commission.

In the year 1776 a requisition was made by the government, to raise a certain number of Militia, as minute men, and he volunteered as a private (although he was Lieutenant in the Militia Company of Capt. Joseph Herndon) under Capt. Jesse Walton, which was soon ordered to the eastern or lower part of N. C. to suppress an insurrection of the Scotch Tories. After he had proceeded about fifty miles assisted in the capture of the Tory, Colonel Gideon Wright, whose house was surrounded in the night, and conveyed him to the little town of Richmond, where he was disposed of in some manner not now recollected. After this event Lenoir was taken sick on the road rendering him unable to travel, and Capt. Walton discharged him. He made his way home with much difficulty. The calls for Militia from Surry County to suppress insurrection were repeated in quick succession and as soon as he was able to travel he volunteered as a Lieutenant of Militia Co. to which he belonged, commanded by Capt. Herndon, which marched to Shallow Ford on the Yadkin, distant 60 or 70 miles, from the place of rendezvous, when orders were received to return home. A very short time after the Company was ordered to the same point of destination as before and after marching the same distance, they were again directed to return home. In these two expeditions Lenoir was absent five weeks.

As Surry was a frontier County the inhabitants were much annoyed and alarmed by the frequent depredations of the Indians, it was necessary for the public safety and security that active measures should be adopted to effect that object and Lenoir was selected, by the Colonel of the County, to raise a Company of Rangers to patrol the frontier settlement and protect them from the incursions of the Indians. In obedience to this order he organized a Company which was stationed at a convenient point on the headquarters of the Yadkin River, from whence they ranged the country on the Blue Ridge for a considerable distance as well as west of it, between the water of the Yadkin and New River, the inhabitants of which localities, from depredations and the great danger of their exposure, were compelled to abandon their homes to seek security in the interior settlements. In this service, he believes, he was engaged as Captain of the Company for 6 weeks or upwards in the summer of 1776.

In August 1776 he volunteered as Lieutenant with Capt. Benjamin Cleveland in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians. His Company of Rangers having just returned from the expedition above mentioned, were not all prepared to join another, he accepted the position under Capt. Cleveland, who had a very large Company that required two Lieutenants, of which he was the first. He set out on the march under Colonel Martin Armstrong, the Colonel of the County, direct to the Pleasant Garden, in the County of Burke, where they joined General Griffith Rutherford to make the necessary organizations and other arrangements. From thence they went to the Cherokee Nation, the towns of which were generally abandoned, except by straggling Indians, women and children. Capt. Cleveland was stationed with a few men at the middle towns, while Lenoir was appointed to the command of the remainder of the Company, and marched, under Colonel Armstrong, to the Hiawassee towns, which they destroyed and killing some Indians. The S. C. Militia was to have met General Rutherford at the Middle Towns, but upon his arrival no intelligence could be obtained from them and he set out for the Hiawassee towns as before stated. After the departure of General Rutherford from the Middle towns, the S. C. troops arrived there and immediately started for Hiawassee with expectation of joining him at that place, but taking a different route they were attacked on the way by a party of Indians who had formed an ambuscade, but by the skilful and prudent conduct of their officers they were dislodged with a considerable number killed whom it is believed they carried off. The S. C. troops lost about 15 men who were buried in a swamp and upon whom they constructed a pole causeway, over which the Militia marched as they returned from the Hiawassee to the Middle towns. Lenoir served 20 days as Captain on this occasion. After having destroyed the Indian towns, with all their stock, corn, and other property that could be found, the troops returned to N. C. and their respective homes. Although but few were killed in this expedition, yet from the fatigue, exposure and privation, a great number died after they arrived home “much of which Lenoir suffered.” He believed he served 70 days as Lieutenant, making with the twenty days as Captain, three months. After his return home he was appointed Captain of the Company in the District where he resided, which rank he held until the close of the war. In 1777 Surry County was divided by an Act of the Legislature and Lenoir was included in that portion which is now Wilkes County, but his Company District was the same. Shortly after the division he was ordered by Colonel Benjamin Cleveland who was Colonel of the County, to march his Company down Hunting Creek to detect some outlying Tories and other suspicious characters. He was unsuccessfully employed for some weeks in the Spring of 1778. In the Fall of 1778 he, with his Company, accompanied Colonel Cleveland over the Blue Ridge and down New River to Virginia to detect and subdue some Tories who infested that section of the country and captured some of them and thus after restoring tranquility and apparent security to the settlements, recrossed the mountains for their homes. The Tories taken, after an examination, were permitted to go at large by promising future loyalty to the cause of independence. In some instances Colonel Cleveland administered the oath of allegiance. He was gone about 26 days. He was again ordered out with his Company to march across Brushy Mountain together with other troops under Colonel Cleveland, to subdue some Tories on Cowe’s Creek and its waters, who kept that neighborhood in a state of alarm. A Tory by the name of Williams was captured, from whom they endeavored to obtain information relative to suspected persons, but he refused to give any until Col. Cleveland adopted the expedient of hanging him to the limb of a tree, or a bent down sapling, which, however, did not produce the desired effect. This was repeated a second time with more severity, then only to give encouragement to the Whigs and alarm to the Tories. The result of the expedition was to restore a tolerable state of security in that part of the country. He was absent 20 days.

In May or June 1779 information was received that the Tory Captain Whitson with a Company was committing great depredations on the waters of the Catawba, and Lenoir was ordered with his Company and some others to march under Col. Cleveland up the Yadkin River, and across the Catawba, in quest of Whitson. On the march down the Catawba, Colonel Larkin Cleveland, a brother of Colonel Benjamin, was badly wounded by a shot from a high cliff of rocks, supposed from a Tory, who made his escape. Capt. Lenoir, with a detachment of forty men, well mounted, was ordered to patrol the country between the Catawba River and the South Fork after Whitson, which they did all night without success. On their return Colonel Cleveland returned home, after an absence of about one month. A short time after this last service Colonel Cleveland received (late in the afternoon) intelligence that the Tories were embodying, towards the head of the Yadkin, whereupon he repaired immediately to Wilkes C. H., distant fourteen miles from his residence, where Lenoir with what men he could collect immediately joined in and by their united exertion succeeded in raising about 200 men, and at daybreak on the following morning had marched to the place where the Tories were said to be, a distance estimated at 21 miles, but the Tories had fled with great precipitation towards the south. They promptly pursued them with all possible speed as far as Lincolnton, but did not arrive until after the celebrated battle at Ramsour’s Mills, in which the Tories were triumphantly defeated (June 20th, 1780). Upon hearing of this event they returned home, absent about one month.

In August or September 1780 he was ordered by Colonel Cleveland to march with his Company southwardly against the British and Tories who were harassing the people to great extremities in Burke County, and Colonel Cleveland receiving information of the encampment of about 100 Tories at Little John’s Meeting House, a few miles in advance of his troops, directed him to select 25 men, well mounted, to approach the Tory camp until they fired upon him, with strict injunction to retreat without returning the fire, in order to lead them into ambuscade, which he, Colonel Cleveland, would form for that purpose. This arrangement was countermanded by an express which was received before the Tory Camp was reached, and all the men to return except five, to be selected by Lenoir, with whom he was to proceed to execute the original arrangement, but he found the camp abandoned. They, however, advanced considerably farther into Burke County, where they joined a regiment from Virginia under Colonel Campbell and some Militia from the Northwestern side of the Blue Ridge under Colonels Sevier and Shelby, together with the Militia of Burke County under Col. Charles McDowell. With these reinforcements the march was continued southwardly until reaching Rutherford County, when they were informed of the progress and advance of a large body of British and Tories, commanded by Colonel Ferguson. Upon this intelligence orders were immediately given for every man that had a horse, or could procure a suitable one, to be ready to march at sunrise the next morning to oppose Ferguson. “There being no regular officer or even soldier except two belonging to the troops (and they having joined as Militia men) nor no militia officer above the grade of Colonel, it was agreed that Colonel Campbell of Virginia should command the whole detachment.

They accordingly took up the line of march at the appointed time (leaving behind all those who had been unable to procure horses) and on the way were joined by some militia from South Carolina under the command of Colonel Williams, which augmented their number to about 700, according to the best calculation which he (Lenoir) could make (the footmen who were left behind amounting to about 1500). They continued their march all day that day and all night, it being very dark and rainy, and on the next day (being the 7th October 1780) attacked Colonel Ferguson on King’s Mountain near the line between North and South Carolina, and after a hot engagement, which lasted about three-quarters of an hour, achieved the total defeat of Colonel Ferguson and his whole army, every man of whom was in camp at the commencement of the action, being either killed or taken. The killed on the side of the enemy being estimated at 250 and on the side of the Whigs at 32. The remainder of the army amounting to about 937, according to the best estimate which could be made from the papers of the commander, were detained as prisoners of war. In this action, he (Lenoir) received two wounds from bullets, one in his side and the other in his arm and a third bullet passed through his hair above where it was tied.

The next day the American army started on their return with the prisoners (of whom as counted by Capt. Lenoir, 725 were embodied men) who, exclusive of officers, wounded, sick, etc., were compelled to carry the guns that had been taken, many taking two guns each and proceeded on until they met with the footmen who had been left behind. Together they marched to and halted in Rutherford County, where a court martial, composed of field officers, selected about 32 of the most obnoxious of the Tories who had been taken, and ordered them to be hung. After executing three at a time until nine were executed, the remainder were respited. The army then left Rutherford County with the prisoners for the Moravian towns in Stokes County, where they were stationed a considerable time guarding them, until relieved by other troops, then Capt. Lenoir with his Company returned home. Absent three months.

About the time, but before, Lord Cornwallis arrived at Salisbury from S. C., Capt. Lenoir, with his Company volunteered and also six other Captains from Wilkes County with their Companies, marched to join Gen. Greene, as they expected, at Salisbury. On the way, there being no Field Officers with the troops, a dispute arose between Lenoir and Capt. Benjamin Herndon respecting their seniority, or who was entitled to assume the command, and being unable to determine it themselves, agreed to leave it to the soldiers to make choice of a commander for that tour, when all but six followed Lenoir, and he assumed command accordingly. Before reaching Salisbury he was informed Gen. Greene had marched toward Virginia, and Cornwallis was in or near Salisbury and he changed his course towards Salem, crossing the Yadkin at Enoch’s Ferry. On the way he succeeded by stratagem in retaking three British officers, who had been captured by General Morgan at the battle of the Cowpens, but had made their escape from the guard. Several outlying Tories were also taken who were in the Company of the British officers. In pursuing his march they camped all night near the old Moravian town, where he learned that the British Army was then in that place. Not knowing where to find Gen. Greene he turned his course up the country to effect a junction with General Pickens, which took place near Mitchell’s River in Surry County. Selecting about forty mounted infantry he joined him and leaving the remainder of his troops which were under his command, under the command of Capt. Herndon, immediately set out with General Pickens towards Hillsboro, at which place Cornwallis was. Gen. Pickens having understood that Tarleton with his dragoons and infantry had crossed Haw River, set off immediately in pursuit, after being joined by Colonel Lee with his cavalry. They crossed Haw River at Batler’s Ford, but before overtaking Tarleton, fell in with a body of Tories under Doctor Pyles, a Tory Colonel, with whom they immediately engaged and literally cut them to pieces, some, however, made their escape and some were taken prisoners. When the conflict first commenced it was believed that they were a part of Col. Tarleton’s infantry, but they were not. Lenoir escaped without a wound himself, but had his horse wounded and his sword broken. General Pickens learning that Tarleton was encamped at Colo. O’Neil’s Mill detached Capt. Lenoir with a few men to reconnoitre his camp, by which means he learned that Tarleton had decamped about midnight going on the road towards Hillsboro. General Pickens being apprised of this movement, started forthwith in pursuit, but finding that he could not be overtaken before arriving at Hillsboro, it was abandoned and he turned his course up the north side of Haw River. On the following second or third night it was learned that the whole British Army was after General Pickens and near at hand, Colonel Lee, with his dragoons, having left General Pickens. Major Micajah Lewis a Federal officer went out to reconnoitre, as well as to ascertain the facts, but unfortunately approaching too near to Tarleton’s dragoons, believing them to be Lee’s, he received several wounds that terminated his life. General Pickens continued his march and joined General Greene near the High Rock Ford on Haw River.

At this time Lenoir being Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Wilkes County, and the session of the Court coming on in a few days, it was necessary for him to return home. He accordingly obtained leave of absence from the service. Absent six weeks. This last expedition terminated his military service during the war, although considerable other service was performed which has not been enumerated herein. He died May 6th, 1839. In a letter dated Fort Defiance May 16th, 1833, he states that he was commissioned Colonel of cavalry of the 5th Division of N. C. Militia, and Major General of said 5th Division in January, 1795.

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Declaration by Daniel Lane concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Lane, Daniel
Volume 22, Pages 142-143

DANIEL LANE.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated: that when this applicant was in his 17th year he was drafted to guard the jail in Newberne where he served one month and was relieved by one James Horsekins (Hoskins), who was hired by the brother in law of this applicant as his substitute; the latter part of 1779 this applicant volunteered under James Pearce, Captain, from Swift Creek in Craven County, James McDaniel, Lieutenant, from Jones, and Roger Bratcher, Ensign. We rendezvoused at Kinston in Lenoir, where we found a small regiment under the command of Colonel Shepard. We marched under Captain Pearce to Wilmington, thence to Georgetown in South Carolina, to Monks Corner near Charleston where we encamped between two and three weeks and then marched into Charleston just before the seige commenced. When we arrived in Charleston we were put under the immediate command of Col. Shepard—the general command was assumed by General Lincoln. The town was besieged by British troops and orders having been given that those whose time was about to expire could either retire or enlist again for three months, and there being a great scarcity of provisions and an expectation of starvation, and this applicant’s time of service being about to expire the company to which this applicant belonged was put on board of a vessel in the month of March and sailed out of the Harbor of Charleston, on the very day that Fort Moultrie was taken by the British, up the Cooper river about four miles where we were landed and marched thence to the town of Georgetown. At this latter place the company was separated, part going round by land with the baggage, and the rest, with whom was this applicant, crossed the bay from Georgetown to Wilmington, N. C. From Wilmington we came on home to Craven County where we were discharged having served five months. This applicant never received a discharge.

Whilst in Charleston this applicant was ordered under Colonel Wallace to face the British who appeared on the South side of Ashley river. The British (here being the ferry on Ashley river), fired across upon us and we were not injured but the foraging party belonging to the Americans which was sent on the south side of Ashley river were nearly all destroyed. This applicant is not certain that Fort Moultrie was taken on the day he left Charleston Harbor but was induced to believe so from the fact that a cannonading took place between the British fleet and the fort (Moultrie) and afterwards the British fleet sailed by the fort up to the city.

This applicant did recollect some of the regiments and officers but so long a time has elapsed that his memory has failed him in recalling them to his memory. This applicant served as a sergeant in his company from the time that he entered it until his discharge. This applicant has no documentary evidence to support the statement herein contained. 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.
D. LANE.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

J. T. STANLEY, Clerk.

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Declaration by James McBride concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
McBride, James
Volume 22, Pages 143-145

JAMES McBRIDE.

He was residing in October 1832 in Lincoln County, Tennessee, and states that he was born in August 1750 in the County of Down, Ireland, from thence emigrated to Lancaster County, Penn., and in 1771 or 2 removed to Guilford County, North Carolina. After the war he lived in Guilford County until 1800, when he went to Tennessee and resided principally in Williamson County, then, in 1806, returned to Guilford County, N. C., where he remained until the Spring of 1812, when he finally settled in Lincoln County, Tenn. While living in Guilford County, N. C., he enlisted for six months about the close of 1775, with Capt. George Davidson in the first N. C. Regiment, Colonel Francis Nash. Although he was commander of the Regiment he did not see him until he (McBride) reached Charleston, S. C. He was placed with his Company under the command of Colonel Alexander Martin, who marched first to Fayetteville, then by water to Wilmington, from thence to Brunswick, and Long Bay, to Wochama River, where going on board of vessels sailed to Georgetown then by land to Charleston, where remaining until the attack on Sullivan’s Island, he was transported across the Bay to Hadrill’s Point and was there during the firing of the ship Acteon. Afterwards he was stationed on the Island until his term expired. On his return home he joined the Company of Capt. Arthur Forbis and his Company with those of Captains Moore, Whitsell and Gillespie, in the regiment of Col. John Paisley, were employed principally against the Tories under Fields and Willesby, in several tours, the duration and number of each not recollected, with an exception which was three months. He ranged through Randolph, Chatham, Moore, Anson, Montgomery and Rowan Counties. In the Fall of 1778 three regiments were raised by draft to go to S. C., commanded by Colonels Paisley, Locke and Sanders, and the brigade by General Rutherford. McBride served with Capt. John Donnell, in Col. Paisley’s regiment, going to Purysburg, on the Savannah River, where they lay until Spring, when he was detached to the command of Colonel Archibald Lyttle and Major John Nelson, who first marched him to the Black Swamp, then to Augusta. In a few days he crossed the Savannah River, going about sixty miles to Brier Creek, near which place they were joined by General Ashe, with about 700 men, and on March 3rd, 1779, they were suprised by the British under General Provost and Colonel Campbell. McBride and 170 others were made prisoners including General Elbert of Georgia. Late in August McBride with two others, made their escape, and he returned home after an absence of ten months. He was again engaged in “Tory hunting” under Capt. Forbis, but the periods of the different tours he could not recollect. He served three months with Capt. Robert Paisley in Colonel Isaac’s regiment, but whether this was before or after 1780 he was unable to determine. The service was ranging for Tories through the same country as that previously mentioned under Col. Paisley. Shortly before the defeat of Gates at Camden (August 16th, 1780) he volunteered with Capt. Whitsell to go to Suffolk, Virginia, for arms and ammunition, and lay some weeks at Halifax, N. C., by order of Col. Long, who he thinks was Quarter Master General, but finally proceeded by way of Winton, on Chowan River, to Suffolk, where they received two wagon loads of arms and lead and returned by the same route to Halifax, there stopping to brand the arms, as he believed. Absent about two or three months.

It was at this period that the Tories under Colonel Fanning put on a “bold appearance” and McBride was employed under Capt. Paisley, in Capt. Paisley’s regiment, for three months, against them, by ranging the country as far south as the Pee Dee River. From this period he served, as the occasion required, a number of short tours of duty against the Tories, until peace.

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Declaration by James Martin concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Martin, James, 1742-1834
October 17, 1832
Volume 22, Pages 145-150

JAMES MARTIN.

In May, 1774, I moved from the State of New Jersey to Guilford County on Dan River and on the 22nd day of April, 1774, I was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Guilford Regiment of Militia by Samuel Johnson, President in Congress, then setting, and afterwards made Governor of this State, and soon after, in the year 1775, there was an insurrection of the Scotch Tories in and about Fayetteville. I was ordered by my brother, Alexander Martin, who was appointed Colonel of the Second regular Regiment, to raise the Guilford Militia and, as ordered by Congress then setting, march them to Fayette in order to suppress them. I accordingly marched to Fayette where said Colonel A. Martin was placed having been made Colonel of the Second Regiment in the regular service of the United States; but previous to my having marched there the Scotch Tories had embodied and had started to march to Wilmington, but were met by an armed force of Militia commanded by Colonel Caswell and a battle ensued at a place called Moore’s Bridge. He killed their commander as he attempted to cross said bridge and the rest took to flight and said Colonel Martin and myself took most of their head men and imprisoned them and then I was ordered home with my regiment. The time that I spent in raising the men until I returned home was about two months as near as I can recollect for I kept no written journal.

About the middle of June, 1776, soon after the above campaign, I was called upon and commanded by General Rutherford of Rowan to raise as many of the Guilford Militia as I could muster and to march them to join him at the Catawba river and to march thence to the Cherokee towns of the Indians in order to destroy them. Accordingly I marched with about 400 Militiamen and joined the General as he ordered. Lieut. Colonel John Paisley assisted me to raise the men and marched with us and thence we marched to the Turkey Cove at the foot of the Blue Ridge and then crossed over it to Swananoa, thence to Pigeon river, thence to French Road river and thence to Tennessee river where we came to some of their towns which we burned and cut down their corn moving from one town as we destroyed it and marched to another. Our commissary had about 3,000 beeves and about as many pack horses loaded with sacks of flour and where we encamped one night the beeves and pack horses destroyed the whole of it to the very stumps and destroyed the grass to the bare ground.

General Rutherford took the pick of the better half of the army and went to the over hills towns as they were called and left me with the remainder of the troops to guard the provisions until he came back. He was gone about two or three weeks before he returned but had no skirmishes with the Indians and I believe saw none and destroyed some of their towns as he reported. While he was gone the Southern Army of Militia, on the same intentions we had, marched through our camp and fell into an ambuscade the Indians had made about a mile and a half from our camp and had a smart skirmish with them. I heard their guns firing very plain and their commander sent to me for assistance and in the meantime I sent a Colonel Cleveland with about 150 men for his assistance, but before Cleveland got to them they had routed the Indians and killed about ten or twelve of them and they lost about as many of their militiamen. I had sent out scouts every day to reconnoitre the country but they never happened to fall into their ambuscade. After destroying all their towns and corn we took our march for home by orders from our General. A few of the Indians had skulked about our camp and a few of our men when they caught them out single they killed but we had no battle with them.

And from the time I received the orders to raise the Militia until we returned home—the orders to raise the militia came to me about the middle of June, 1776, and we did not return until about the last of October or first of November, 1776, being about four months in service in all.

After our return we had some little relaxation until express was sent me from our court house that the tories in the south end of the County, now called Randolph County, were in a state of insurrection with one William Fields as their head Colonel and wished to go to the British at Wilmington. I repaired to the Court House directly and ordered out Daniel Gilaspie our Captain of Light Horse company and took Fields their leader and brother and three or four more of their leaders and brought them prisoners to the Court House and our gaol not being sufficient I sent them in waggons to Hillsborough gaol and previously I had ordered all their guns to be taken from them and all they could find among the disaffected and bring them to the Court House and I gave them to the honest Whig party that had none. The time I spent at the Court House to order the suppression of the Tories in our County could not be less than six weeks off and on and I returned home to Dan river, where I then lived. This is from recollection as I said before as I kept no written journal.

In 1781, about the first of January or the last of December, 1780, I was ordered and commanded by General Greene to raise and call upon the Guilford Militia en masse and to equip themselves as the military laws directed and for me to come and join in his camp under the regular service and not depart without leave; but guns were wanting by a number of the men and I had to have recourse to impress and borrow as many as I could get and I could only raise about 200 to go with me to camp and they, hearing that the British were marching towards us in Guilford, it struck such a terror on them that some of that number deserted before the battle at old Martinsville. However I marched and joined General Greene with what I had and we retreated before the British until we came to Roanoke and crossed the river at Boyd’s Ferry and came to Halifax Court H. in Virginia and encamped. Two or three weeks the British had followed us in sight of the river and sometimes their front on our rears but no skirmishes took place at that time and they returned again to Guilford County where they harrassed and plundered the inhabitants as they pleased. General Greene having encamped in Halifax, Virginia, perhaps more than three weeks recrossed the Roanoke river and marched back in Caswell County and thence to part of Guilford, maneuvering about until he could collect all the militia of the different counties of the State and also from Virginia to meet the enemy for battle. I came and marched with General Greene to the high Rock Ford on Haw river and encamp there on the east side of it. The British were maneuvering on the west side of the county and General Greene after halting there about three weeks thought he had collected all the forces from Virginia and the lower counties of the State and resolved to move towards the British to give them battle as he did. He came to Guilford old Court House where he made a halt and hearing that the British were moving towards him he drew up his men in three lines about 100 yards behind each other and waited the advance of the British. I was posted in the front line with scarce a complete Captain’s company commanded by Captain Forbis, a brave undaunted fellow. We were posted behind a fence and I told the men to sit down until the British who were advancing came near enough to shoot. When they came in about 200 yards I saw a British officer with a drawn sword driving up his men. I asked Capt. Forbis if he could take him down. He said he could for he had a good rifle and asked me if he should shoot then. I told him to let him in 50 yards and then take him down which he did. It was a Captain of the British army and at that instant General Greene sent his Aid-de-camp for me to go to him and I went and asked him his commands. He told me as the battle had begun and as I had not a complete regiment he wished me to go with Major Hunter to the Court House in case of a defeat to rally the men which we did and collected about 500 and was marching them to the battle ground when I met General Stephens of Virginia Corps retreating.

I asked if the retreat was by General Greene’s orders and he told me it was. I then retreated with him and ordered the men to repair to Troublesome iron works to refit as General Greene had ordered me, which we obeyed. The British then took possession of the Court House and after a few days they moved up towards Wilmington. General Greene hearing of their movements started aftr them but the militia of our County being so disheartened I could not bring any to join him again. This was in 1781. The time I spent then from the time I received orders was about two months.

In 1778 or 1779, I forget which, a party of Tories commanded by their leader one Bryan on the Yadkin river rose in a body in Surry County and started to join the British at Wilmington and being informed of it by express I ordered out Captain Gilaspie with his light horse company and I went with them got on their track, pursued them as far as Uwharrie Creek and found they had got out of our reach, returned back again. The time we spent then until we returned home was about six weeks, that is one month and fifteen days.

We had then some relaxation till the year 1781 of better than two months when about the first of July I was ordered by General Rutherford of Rowan County to raise a part of my regiment and to join him on his way to Wilmington to try to dislodge a British Major Craig stationed there. I raised about 200 militia men and marched and joined him at the Raft swamp and hearing a number of Tories had taken refuge in it General Rutherford took about one-half of the army and myself the other and he entered the north end of it and I the south end. We made our way with much difficulty through bogs and morasses and some of the men and horsemen got mired but got out again. But we found no Tories or any body else save several camps which we supposed had been made by them. Thence we proceeded towards Wilmington but halted at a small stockade Fort Foster (?) about 20 miles from Wilmington off the South East branch of Cape Fear river near Frederick Jones’s on the south side of the river near a bridge over it and our army encamped on the north side and while we contemplated to storm the said Fort we were saved the trouble and danger without fighting by their vacating it which we supposed was ordered by their Major Craig posted at Wilmington. At this time we heard of the capture of the British General Cornwallis being taken prisoner by General Washington at Yorktown near the mouth of James river. We marched then to the town of Wilmington which we found was vacated by the British Major Craig and supposed it was by the orders of his British General (I think his name was Clinton) to leave the State and come to him and we thought it very good luck that by their vacating the town we were released from the danger of fighting. So we were ordered home again and the time we spent on this campaign was from about the first of July until we got home again the 25th of November of the same year, 1781, about four months.

The whole time that I was in actual service was 16 months and 11 days—this from my best recollection of memory for I kept no written journal.

JAS. MARTIN, Senr.

This 17th day of Oct., 1832.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court the year and day aforesaid.
THOS. ARMSTRONG, Clk.

Died 31st Oct., 1834.

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Memorandum concerning testimony by Mary Martin, Providence Critchfield, and Daniel Martin concerning Salathiel Martin's military service in the Revolutionary War
No Author
Volume 22, Pages 150-151

SALATHIEL MARTIN.

He having deceased May 6th, 1827, a date prior to the passage of a pension law under which he would have been entitled, there is no other statement on file of his military service than that of his widow furnished with her application for a pension. His widow Mary was residing in February 1845 in Claiborne County, Tenn., aged 81 years and stated that her husband was a Captain in the N. C. Militia in Col. Armstrong’s Regiment and served 18 months. He was in the battle of King’s Mountain (October 7th, 1780) and Guilford (March 15th, 1781) but could not state whether he was in the service prior to 1780, nor does she recollect the name of the Colonel he was under at King’s Mountain or if in other battles than the two she has specified. He marched from Surry C. H. to join Gen. Greene a few days prior to the battle of Guilford and he did not return home for better than a year afterwards, having accompanied General Greene in his march to the south. She was married to Salathiel Martin April 23rd, 1782, in Surry County.

Miss Providence Critchfield of Claiborne County, Tenn., aged 76 years, testified in February 1845 that she had known Salathiel and Mary Martin for 70 years and became acquainted with both in Surry County, N. C., and that he was a Captain in the Militia in the Revolutionary War. He served two tours. One she thinks was for six months (over the six is written nine)) and the other twelve months. The last campaign happened when Cornwallis came into N. C. He was at the battle of Guilford and went South with General Greene, but what other battles he was in she did not know. He was gone about a year.

Daniel Martin of White County, Tenn., aged 81 years, testified that he was well acquainted with Capt. Salathiel Martin who served as Captain in the Revolutionary War, but was not in the immediate neighborhood when he entered the service, although he was in the neighborhood a very short time after the close of the war, and after the close of his tours of service, and lived with the said Capt. Martin for some time thereafter, and often heard him speak of his serving as Captain. He has heard many of the men who served under Capt. Martin, and while staying with him just after the close of the war, say that they were in the service with him, and always saluted him as their Captain. Such was the case with all the people in the neighborhood and that he was a good partizan officer, being a man of great personal strength, very tall, being considered a head and shoulders taller than any other officer, at the time. After the war, all persons conceded to him the honor of being one of the best officers that served in North Carolina. The witness was confident of his active service, from the testimony of persons living in the vicinity where Captain Martin resided, but could not state the precise periods of it. He thinks he must have served during a greater portion of the Revolutionary War. He was well acquainted with his wife Mary before her marriage to Salathiel Martin, which took place before his own marriage which was in 1784.

The Secretary of North Carolina certified that Salathiel Martin was a Captain of Dragoons.

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Declaration by John Montgomery concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Montgomery, John, d. 1744
Volume 22, Pages 151-152

JOHN MONTGOMERY.

He stated in August, 1832, that he was residing in Guilford Co., N. C., and he was born in Lancaster Co., Penn. In 1767 he moved with his father to Guilford Co., N. C., where since living. He stated in August, 1832, that he was 69 years old.

In the latter part of 1780 he volunteered with Capt. Bell who marched up the Yadkin River after a band of Tories, but as they had been routed by the Militia from Surry County, he returned home,—absent more than one week. Shortly after, he volunteered under Capt. McReak in Maj. Blair’s command, going up Abbott’s Creek, in Stokes Co., after Tories who were dispersed. Absent two weeks in December, 1780. Immediately following, he marched as a Volunteer under Capt. Forbis, Cols. Paisly and Martin, to join General Greene (who was retreating from before the British), in Caswell Co., thence with him to Halifax, C. H., Va., where information was received of the ravages of the Tories in the neighborhood of Capt. Forbis, who obtained permission to return home with his Company (after six weeks absence). When they reached Guilford, the Tories had fled the County, and Capt. Forbis resolved to join the army again, but before leaving Guilford, prisoners were sent to him to guard, of which guard Montgomery was one and he was on that duty when the battle was fought at Guilford (March 15th, 1781). After the battle he was released from the care of prisoners to go to Randolph County against some Tories gathered in the High Hills, called the Caraway Mountains. (About 10 weeks.) The September following he volunteered with Capt. Stewart who marched in the command of Col. Martin and General Rutherford down the country to near Wilmington, and was engaged to near Christmas checking the ravages of British and Tories, who often turned out in parties to plunder and destroy plantations. About three months.

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Declaration by William Polk concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Polk, William, 1758-1834
Volume 22, Pages 152-154

WILLIAM POLK.

He was residing in April 1833 in Wake County, N. C., and stated that he was born in Mecklenburg County, N. C., July 9th, 1758, wehere he was living when he entered the service. In 1785 he removed to Davidson County, Tenn., “There occasionally living for three years,” then returned to Mecklenburg County, where residing until 1799, since which time he has lived in Wake County as the Mayor of the City of Raleigh, where now living. He has lost his commission as 2nd Lieutenant and as Lieutenant Colonel Commandant. His papers were seized at Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, by the British. He died January 14th, 1834.

In April 1775 he entered the service of South Carolina as 2nd Lieutenant in the Company of Capt. Ezekiel Polk in 3rd S. C. Regiment, mounted Infantry, commanded by Colonel William Thompson, which marched from the rendezvous in York District to Ninety-Six, Dorchester and Granby, where they were joined by the Militia of S. C. The object was to oppose the embodied Tories at Ninety-Six, to which place they marched and pursued the Tories, to the great cane break, where an engagement occurred December 22nd, 1775. In this action he received a wound in his left shoulder with which he was confined 8 or 9 months. Immediately after his recovery, he was appointed Major November 26th, 1776, in the 9th N. C. Regiment of the Continental line, he having held his commission of Lieutenant in South Carolina troops from April 1775 to November 26th, 1776. He joined his regiment at Halifax, N. C. in April 1777, he having been on duty in the interior by the command of General Moore at Charleston, S. C., and Wilmington, N. C. The Colonel of the 9th regiment was John Williams and the Lieutenant Colonel John Luttrell. The command of the regiment from the absence of the Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel devolved on Major Polk, which he marched to Georgetown, Md., now in the District of Columbia, where they were inoculated with the small pox; from thence, after recovery, they went to Trenton, N. J., to join the army under General Washington, which was going to the head of the Elk to meet the enemy’s advance toward Philadelphia. He was in the battle of Brandywine (Delaware, 11 Sept., 1777) and Germantown (Pennsylvania, 4 October, 1777) in which latter he was wounded by a musket ball in the cheek. He continued with the army at Valley Forge until the regiments were reduced, when he, with other officers, returned to North Carolina to superinted the recruiting service to fill up the regiment. The particular length of this service he cannot recollect, nor the precise day of its termination, but upon a further reduction of the regiment, in the Spring or Summer of 1779, he was put out of the service. The length of his service as Major was certified by the Secretary of the State of N. C. as 33 months, to which Mr. Polk referred as on the Continental establishment. He served after this as an occasional Volunteer in the Militia until the fall or winter of 1780, the day and month not recollected, when he received a commission as Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th and then the 3rd regiment of South Carolina, signed by John Rutledge, then Governor of that State. His regiment was first mustered under the command of General Thomas Sumter on Broad River in S. C. The first active service under his new commission was an attack upon a Block House near Granby on the Congaree, which was carried by his own and Colonel Wade Hampton’s regiments. He was at the siege and reduction of Fort Motte and Orangeburg (the respective dates are probably Orangeburg May 11th, 1781; Fort Motte May 12th, 1781; Fort Granby May 15th, 1781). He was in the battle of Eutaw Springs (September 8th, 1781) where his horse was killed under him; at the reduction of Wathoo (or Mathoo—badly written) and the battle at Quimby (probably late in July, 1781) making his service as Lieutenant Colonel Commandant in S. C. State troops, ten months. On one occasion he was a Volunteer in the Militia between the fall of 1779 and the date of his commission at Lieutenant Colonel and as aid to General Caswell at the battle of Gates’ defeat near Camden (August 16th, 1780).

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Petition from Austin Prescott concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Prescott, Austin
Volume 22, Page 154

AUSTIN PRESCOTT.

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,

To the Honorable the Secretary of War of the United States:

The petition of Austin Prescott, a citizen of the United States, sheweth that he entered the service of the United States as a private soldier in the War of the Revolution in the North Carolina Artillery, in the Continental line, in the company first commanded by Captain John Vance and afterwards by John Kingsbury; he served in said company in the North and in the South against the common enemy for upwards of five years when he was discharged. Deponent was with the army which was captured at Charleston but at the time of the capture was with the waggons sent to Georgetown for provisions and escaped the fate of the army at Charleston.

He received a discharge but has lost it.

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Declaration by John Taylor concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Taylor, John
Volume 22, Pages 154-158

JOHN TAYLOR, SENIOR.

In December 1832 he was residing in Granville County, N. C., and states that he was 76 years old on the 4th inst., and that he was born in Virginia; removed at the age of two years with his parents to Mecklenburg, in the same State, then in 1777 he settled in Granville County, N. C., where since living.

In 1778 a Company was raised in Granville County to aid in the defence of S. C. and Georgia and was told that his brother Richard Taylor was the Captain thereof, but he has no recollection of the fact. The wife of his brother Richard had received no intelligence of her husband in some time and expressed uneasiness in John’s presence, to which he replied that as he had no family, he would go, and if permitted, serve out his time as a substitute. Accordingly he started with two young men, Solomon Walker and Solomon Mitchell, to join the American army, which was stationed on the north side of Savannah river, opposite Augusta, then occupied by the British. There he learned that his brother Richard had returned home, for what cause and under what circumstances he has no recollection, but has recently been informed and believes that by reason of his disappointment in not being raised to the grade of Major, he had resigned his commission and left the service. He was received into the service and a considerable time in the early part of his tour, he was in the family and marquee of Colonel Lyttle. A detachment under the command of General Ashe were ordered across the river to take their station at the point where Brier Creek empties into the Savannah River. At this time he belonged to the Company of which Lt. Pleasant Henderson had in part the command. A few days before the attack on his detachment, which proved so fatal to it, General Ashe sent Lt. Henderson with dispatches to General Lincoln at Purysburg and Taylor was selected to accompany him. Lt. Henderson, observing when starting, that Taylor did not have his saddle bags, insisted on his return for them, but as Taylor hesitated, repeated his request, and he got them. On the road Henderson remarked he had particular reasons for insisting on his securing his saddle bags “for you nor I will see this place again as there will be a battle here before we return.” They remained three or four days at Purysburg before commencing their return to their station and soon met the stragglers of their troops flying from the battle ground at Brier Creek (March 3rd, 1779) to whom he gave all the clothing in his saddle bags. He thinks they returned back to Purysburg, of which he has no recollection, nor when or where discharged. He thinks his service was about 5 months.

In August 1780 he was mustered at Oxford in a regiment of Volunteers under Colonel Phil Taylor, which marched through Hillsboro, Salisbury, and Charlotte, to the Catawba River. At Salisbury the command was changed and assumed by Colonel Davie. Taylor appears to act as commissary at times for he mentions the purchasing of a large quantity of flour, on one occasion, for the use of the army. The regiment being aware of the liability to be attacked laid down to sleep on their arms. In course of the night they changed, with as little noise as possible, to another place. A short time after leaving the ground, it was covered by Tarleton’s Cavalry. At the Waxhaw he was in company with General Davie, when the latter pointed out the meeting house with the remark that he was educated by his uncle to succeed him as the pastor at that house. Absent about four months.

A regiment of mounted Volunteers was raised and placed under the command of Colonel Malmedy and Major Pleasant Henderson. A company was raised in Taylor’s neighborhood, which elected him as Captain. Among the members were James Lyne, James Lewis, Joseph P. Davis, John Farrar, James Minge Benton, two of his brothers, Lewis and Edmund Taylor—one older and the other younger than him—and Robert Goodloe Harper, who afterwards became distinguished in the public councils of his country. The Company met at Oxford to elect their Captain. After joining Colonel Malmedy and within seven miles of Guilford C. H., while at breakfast, they heard the report of the artillery in the battle, which started them to reach the battle ground by a short cut through the woods, but the route was so rocky and uneven, they abandoned it and returned to the more circuitous road, meeting hundreds flying from the conflict, from whom no information could be obtained as to the location or the issue of the engagement. Colonel Malmedy reached the battle ground and found it in the possession of the enemy, with their guns stacked around their fires. A council was held by the officers as to the “propriety” of attacking the camp, and Taylor thinks it was only opposed by Colonel Malmedy. The regiment was ordered to pursue after Cornwallis, who had left Guilford. In course of this pursuit, Capt. Taylor with as many men as he was pleased to take, was ordered to ascertain the position of the British Army. He selected seven, one of whom was Richard Goodloe Harper, and after two or three days search the required information was obtained of the situation of the main body, and on another road the enemy were driving 300 beeves and would be compelled to march 15 miles before intersecting the main body. Soon after this discovery and while in the immediate neighborhood of the enemy, so much did the Company and horses need refreshments, that they were tempted to halt at a cabin and turn the horses into a wheat lot near the house. While the woman was preparing their breakfast of fried hominy, Capt. Taylor, with all but one of his men, went to the eastern side of the cabin to bask in the sun,—the morning being cool,—leaving their arms within the house. Capt. Taylor turned round to see the front surrounded by seven or eight armed men on horseback. Whispering to his party to follow him he walked to the cabin, but the others not knowing whether they were friends or enemies, or perhaps from pure cowardice, did not resist their progress. Seizing his sword and the men their guns, presented himself at the door with the inquiry who they were; and observing a motion as if to retreat, ordered his men to fire, but this in so hurried manner, was without much effect, although the enemy had to pass through a small gate in front in single file. One man put his hand to his back and dropped his hat from his head. It was afterwards said that a Capt. Drake of the British Army had died of a wound received at that time and place. The wound was well understood to have been inflicted by Robert Harper. Capt. Taylor was so much alarmed by the occurrence, and the danger they were in, that the party mounted their horses and set out for their regiment, which was not in the place that had been designated for that day. Soon afterwards he learned it was while Cornwallis was at Ramsay’s Mills, Colonel Malmedy ordered an attack on Tarleton’s Cavalry in order to draw them out in pursuit, so that Major Pleasant Henderson, with a detachment placed in ambush, might attack them. The Command of this attack, Taylor was recently informed, was given to De Globack, a Frenchman, though he (Taylor) had always believed the Frenchman was subordinate to him. After the necessary preparation, the young Frenchman and himself set out at the head of the Company of about forty men ordered for the attack. Riding side by side DeGloback remarked to Taylor that one or the other of them, would in all probability, be killed; to which he replied that if the enemy kept double pickets, perhaps both would be killed. Shortly after, seeing two pickets, and getting within about forty yards of them, received their fire, then pushed on at full speed until they joined, in a short distance, some 20 or more, who were sentries to the main body and all ran in the direction of the army, which was probably within 200 or 300 yards further on, but were overthrown and three captured. While thus engaged with the guard, and before they were aware of the movement, about four hundred Hessians had nearly surrounded them, intercepting their return the same way from which the advance had been made for the attack. The party, escaped in another direction and notwithstanding the shower of bullets from the enemy, brought off the prisoners without receiving an injury. It was estimated by Major Henderson that there were three thousand bullets sent after them. It was subsequently reported that Tarleton refused to pursue the attacking party suspecting that it was a decoy by General Greene. De Globack ordered the execution of the prisoners on the pretence that the enemy would pursue, but this order was countermanded by Capt. Taylor. James Lyne, one of the nearest neighbors to Capt. Taylor brought off a Hessian Rifle which he carried home. When Cornwallis left Ramsay’s Mills (latter part of March, 1781) for Wilmington, N. C., Col. Malmedy was ordered to pursue in order to protect the inhabitants and intermediate country from ravages. Absent two months, but rated three months on account of the men furnishing horses. Capt. Taylor states that he was employed by General Davie as assistant in his commissary department, but the service may have been rendered after his last military campaign. The first occasion he was called on to act was to go to the lower counties of the State to receive from the Sheriffs or Collectors of public monies such sums as they may have collected, and to pay the same over to General Davie. He thinks he has two months on this duty.

On one occasion he was ordered to follow the track of the American Army to find the situation, and in whose possession were cow hides belonging to the public for the supply of the public tanneries. This duty took him to the S. C line and was employed in it three months. At another time he was out to engage beef to be delivered at different points for the use of the army, and was thus employed by General Davie from 12 to 18 months.

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Declaration by John Wilfong concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War
Wilfong, John
Volume 22, Pages 158-159

JOHN WILFONG.

In October, 1833, he was residing in Lincoln County, N. C., and stated that he was born in N. C., April 8th, 1762. He was living in said County when he enlisted on or before Sept. 1st, 1780, under Capt. Sigman and Lt. Vanhorn in Col. McDowall’s N. C. Regiment, which marched to Morganton, N. C., thence to Cane Creek in Burke Co., where they had a slight skirmish, then to Watauga. They returned by the same route, joined by Cols. Sevier, Shelby and Campbell, to Cane Creek, Burke Co., from thence to the Cowpens, where they were joined by Cols. Cleveland and Williams and Lincoln’s troops, after which they crossed Broad River and fought the battle of King’s Mountain. The same day Colonel Ferguson was killed and the whole of his army taken prisoners. In this battle Wilfong was wounded in the left arm by a ball and returned home October 8th, 1780 (the next day after the battle).

In July, 1781, he volunteered for 10 months with Capt. Cowan and Lt. George Hammond, in Colonel Hammond’s regiment, which marched from Lincoln N. C., to near Augusta, Ga., from thence into S. C., joining the army of General Greene, from thence to Eutaw Springs and was in the battle in 1781 (Sept. 6), then to White Hall, S. C. In March, 1782 he marched to the Cherokee Nation under Capt. Jesse Johnson, returned to General Pickens in S. C., where he served the residue of his time.

CSR Document, Vol. 15