Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5,570, for Elijah Powell, North Carolina
Page 1

[LEFT HEADER]
(8-1776)
SERVICE
N. L.

[MIDDLE HEADER]
Powell, Elijah
Mary

[RIGHT HEADER]
NUMBER
W. 5570

[BODY]
CONTENTS
Page 2

[HEADER]
[illegible]  [illegible] 27991

[BODY]
Elijah Powell
of [illegible] in the State of N.C.
who was a [illegible] in the [illegible] commanded
by Captain [illegible] of the [illegible] commanded
by Co. [illegible] in the N.C.
line for 14 [illegible]

Inscribed on the Rolt of North Carolina
at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Nov.
and [illegible] [illegible]
Taylor Bridge N.C.

Arrears to the 4th of [illegible] 1834
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 [illegible] 35

[VERTICAL NUMBER EQUATION]
198. 31
28.33
226.64

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. 64 Page 69.
Page 3

[HEADER]
State of North Carolina Court of Pleas [illegible] Quarter
Duplin County Sepions Nov Term 1832

[BODY]
On the 27th day of November in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
personally appeared in open court before John Watkins,
James Lawson, & Gibson Sloane

Esquired Justice of the Court aforesaid now sitting
Elijah Powell, [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] the dividing line
between the [illegible] of Duplin and [illegible] in
the State of North Carolina aged about seventy four
year, who being first duly sworn according to law
doth on his oath make the following declaration in
order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed
June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers and served as
herein stated
[illegible] Under Captain Ellen, Lieutenant [illegible] in
a regement commanded by Col. Clinch & Lieutenant
Col. [illegible], this applicant being illiterate cannot
pretend to state dates in his declaration as he cannot
ascertain them with certainty but it was in the spring
of the year that he first entered, that he volunteered
for sin mouths as a lighthorseman and served the [illegible]
that he resided in Nash County [illegible] of North
Carolina where he entered, that he was at the capture
of some tories on [illegible] in Nash County, where
about thirty of them were taken and carried to Halfon
jail, that he embodied at 'Squire Nicherson's on Jan
River and marched through & through Nash County &
occasionally into the adjourning Counties in quest of [illegible]
that in this tour he was in a skirmish with the [illegible]
Page 4

higher up [illegible] Creek than where those tories
were captured, in which fifteen of them were killed
and five taken prisoners; that he has no documentary
evidence and knows of no person by whom he can prove
this tour of service
2. Under the command of Gen. William Caswell,
Col. [illegible] Allen, Captain Brickle, who was
afterwards promoted to Major, Lieutenant Phillip
who was afterwards appointed Captain, that he does
not know the line he entered or left, being unlearned
and of bad memory, that he engaged for three months
but served he thinks at least six months, for he entered
this tour in the spring of the year and was not discharged
till late in the fall or the beginning of [illegible]
that he was hired by a class of men who were required
by law to stand a draft or furnish a substitute;
that he was in a skirmish at Coles Bridge on [illegible]
Creek in Robeson County N.C. in which some of the
enemy were killed and some taken prisoners and sent
to Newborn, that he rendezvoused in Nash County
and marched to Kingston on News where guns were
drawn by the company, thence to [illegible], where it
was said the enemy had been lying off and board their
fleet, but were gone when he arrived, that from [illegible]
South Carolina on [illegible], that he was on the [illegible]
and [illegible], that he was [illegible] [illegible]
on [illegible], that he remained a considerable time in South
Carolina & then marched to Coles Bridge on [illegible]
Creek thence to Fayetteville then called Cross Creek
where he was discharged by Gen. Caswell, written
by himself, that he took no care of it and has lost
it, and that he knows of no person whose testimony
he can [illegible], who can testify to his service.
3. Under Major Brg Ferrell, Captain William
Ferrell and he thinks John Ferrell was Lieutenant
that he cant, tell the year, that he resided in Nash County
but entered in Franklin County, that he was a substitute
for Joshua Perry, that he does not know how
Page 5

long the tour was for, but he served at least seven
months, that he was a lighthorseman, that he was
in the battle at Guilford CourtHouse and wounded
in the left shoulder, that he was thereupon carried
to the hospital and remained there about ten days
and then furloughed home by the surgeon, that he
marched in the first place to Hillsborough, thence by
Morarian Town to a public road leading to Charleston,
that at this place Gen. Green's army joined
those to which this applicant belonged, that he served
with Gen Green's army, that the regular officers
he knew were Gen. Green and some of his [illegible]
whose names he forgets, that at the battle at
Guilford CourtHouse, the americans gave back, to
get a more advantageous post in a bottom, that
the militia were posted behind an old fence, a short
distance off the road, that he has no documentary
evidence and knows of no person by whom he can
prove this service
4. After his return from the battle at Guilford, when
he was abed one night a party of the enemy came
to the house where he was and told this applicant he
must go with them to carry a flat down [illegible] River
for them to cross in, and compelled him to go, that
a British officer offered this applicant [illegible] [illegible]
to enlist with him, that he refused, but was
[illegible] and compelled to take the oath of allegiance
to the king of Great Britain. In a short time
after, he met with Col. Clinch, Capt Ellen and
Lieutenant Avin under whom he had served &
asked them what he should do, they replied, "Load
your gun & go with us,,; that he thereupon entered again
under Col. Clinch. Captain Howell Ellen & Lieut. Avin
being towards the close of the war, that he did not engage
to serve any particular period, but the times required
constant duty and he served to the best of his knowledge
something near a year but will say six months, that he
was a volunteer lighthorseman, that he was in a skirmish
with the tories in Franklin County on Crooked Creek
where seven or eight of the tories were killed & some wounded
Page 6

and four or five of the americans, that the tories fled
and took refuge in a large Marsh on [illegible] Creek
as was said, that his marches were in Nash and the
adjoining Counties [struck out] are Franklin [struck out] pursuit of 
the tories and on one occasion went to Halifan on
the trail of the British. that he has no discharge and
knows of no person by whom he can prove this service
[illegible] of Elijah Powell the aforesaid applicant to 
the questions [illegible] to him by the Court aforesaid which are
prescribed by the War Department
1 I was born in Franklin County N.C. on [illegible] Riber
in what year I dont know
2. I have no record of my age
3. In Nash County, & continued to live there till about
35 years ago when I remored to where I now live on
or near the dividing line between Daplin & New Hanover
4. Counties, H. Volunteered & served as a substitutes
5. I cant name any but Gen. Green, I recollect
Gen Green army, which were teh only continental
& recollect or saw, the militia regiments I remember
are Col. Clinch's, Col Seawells, Caswells &
Col. [illegible]. I also recollect some French
soldiers, the general circumstances of my service
as well as I can recollect are as above stated.
6. I rec'd two discharges one from Capt Ellen,
one from Gen Caswell, and I think one from a 
Col Hunter, and it appears to me I rec'd one
from Col Clinch, but I've lost them all
7 James Nashburn, James Johnson, Charles Page
[illegible] Lee, Daniel Bland, William Bland
William Newton, Alfred Ward, Enoch Alderman
Timothy Newkirk, Benj. Newkirk, Stephen William
Joel Johnson, Joab Johnson, Geo. W. Hufham & [illegible]
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a 
pension or annuity except the present & declares that his
name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any
State Testify J. Murphy
his mark Elijah Powell
Page 7

We Alfred Ward and William Newton residing
in the Count of Daplin hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with Elijah Powell who has
has subsorebed and sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be seventy four years
of age, that he is reputed and believed in the
neighbourhood where he resides to have been a
soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in
that opinion
Sworn, & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
A Ward
[illegible] Newton
And the said court do hereby declare their
opinion after the [illegible] prescribed by
the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant
was a Revolutionary soldier & served as
he states. And the Court further certifies that
it appears to them that the said applicant cannot without great inconvenience procure a clergyman
to [illegible] Court and further that
Alfred Ward & William Newton who have
segued the presiding certificate are residents
in the County of Daplin and credible person
& that their statement is [illegible] to credit
Page 8

I James Pearsall Clerk of the Court
of Pleas and Quarter [illegible] of
Daplin County do hereby certify that
the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the
application of Elijah Powell for a pension

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & seal of 
office this the 28th day of November
A.D. 1832 and in the 5th
year of American Independence
[illegible] [illegible]

State of North Carolina
Sampson County
I David Rogers a clergyman residing in the county
of Sampson hereby certify that I am well acquainted
with Elijah Powell who has sworn to & subscribed
the above declaration; that I believe him to be seventy
four years of age; that he is reputed and believed in
the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a 
soldier of the Revolution, and that I concur in
that opinion
David Rogers
Sworn to [illegible] before the
[illegible] a Justice of the Peace
in & foresaid County of Sampson this
the 27th July A.D. 1833
[illegible]

I Joseph Carrell the Justice of the Peace aforesaid
hereby certify that David Rogers who has subscribed
& sworn to the preceding certificate is a clergyman
resident in the County. ofSampson and that his statement
is entitled to credit July 27th 1833
[illegible]
J. Thomas. J. Haison Clerk of the Court of
Pleas & Quarter Sepions for Sampson
Page 9

County hereby certify that Joseph Carrell
before whom the foregoing certificate is as sworn
to & subscribed and whose signature appears
to the preceding certificate is an acting Justice
of the Peace in and for said County
and was such at the date thereof and that the
foregoing signatures purporting to be his are
genuine.

In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand
and seal of office this the 1st
day of August A.D. 1833 and
in the 58th year of American
Independance
Thomas J Faison Clerk
N

[LEFT SIDE]
State of North Carolina
Duplin County

[RIGHT SIDE]
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sepions
November Term 1833

[BODY]
On this the 25th day of November 1833 before the [illegible]
Justices of the Court aforesaid [illegible] Stephen Graham, James
Lawson and Richard Miller now sitting, personally
appeared Elijah Powell the aforesaid applicant who being
duly sworn, to explain the preceding declaration, dotts
on his oath, declare and say, that he actually served
seven months continual service as a private soldier
in a company of cavalry under Capt. William Ferrell
 before he was wounded and [illegible] to the hospital
as stated in his preceding original declaration
he is illitterate & his [illegible] had & he cannot state
dates but in all his services taken together he
actually served nineteen months as a private of
cavalry and six months as a private of Infantry

[LEFT SIDE]
Sworn & subscribed the day and 
year aforesaid

[RIGHT SIDE]
Elijah Powell
his mark

Just J. Carrell D. Clerk
Page 10

[illegible] John Watkins Clerk of he court of Pleas & Quarter
[illegible] for Duplin County hereby certify that the
foregoing explanatory declaration was sworn to &
subscribed by said applicant. Elijah Powell in open
court before the worshipful Stephen Graham
James Lawson and Richard Miller as aforesaid

In testimony whereof [illegible] the said
Jno Watkins have hereunto affined
my seal of office and subscribed
my name this the 26th day of
November Anno Domini1833
and in the 58th year of 
American Independance

[SIDE TEXT]
Elijah Powell
Declaration
19383[7 written over last 3]

Watkins [illegible]
Page 11

[LEFT COLUMN]
1794
North Carolina
Mary Powell
widow of Elijah Powell
who was a Private
in the N.C. line
for 14 months

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
56 Dollars & 66
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
5th day of Sept. 1843
and sent to 
Patrick Murphy
[illegible]
NC

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 204

[RIGHT COLUMN]
Died 21 June 1846
Settle to [illegible] Warden of Pension
Agent 7th July 1847.
Page 12

5986

Mary Powell's
Declaration [illegible].
Page 13

State of North Carolina
New Hanover County

On this the 24th day of July N.C.
eighteen hundred and thirty nine before the Subscriber
a Justice of the Peace in and for said
County personally appeared Mary Powell
a resident of New Hanover County aforesaid
in the State aforesaid but residing near the
line of Duplin County N.C. aged sixty eight
years the 16th of last March, who being first
duly sworn [inserted words begin] acording to law [inserted words end] doth on her oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the provision made by the act of Congress
passed July 7th 1838, entitled "An act granting
half pay and pensions to certain widows:,, That 
she is the Widow of Elijah Powell who was a
private in the War of the Revolution and a pensioner
of the United States under the act of Congress
of June 7th 1832 and made his declaration
before a Court of Duplin County N.C. and was
allowed a pension of fifty six 66/100 Dollars
per annum and for an account of his services
begs leave to refer to his declaration for his
pension sent on to the pension - office as he
was not ruined in this section of the Country
nor was his services performed about here and
therefore this applicant cannot, neither coould
her husband in his lifeline prove his services
otherwise than by his own oath and common
reputation; she believes that the services performed
by her husband were militia service and part
of the time in the cavalry. The further declares
that she has no documentary evidence.

She further declares that she was married
to the said Elijah Powell on the eleventh day
of June in the year seventeen hundred and eighty
nine by William Robinson Esquire of Sampson
County N.C. who this affiant understands is still
living, that her husband, the aforesaid Elijah
Page 14

Powell died on the second day of April in the
year eighteen hundred and thirty five; that she
was not married to him prior to his leaving the
service, but the marriage took place previous to
the first of January seventeen hundred and
ninety four, is at the time above stated.

She further maketh oath that she has no
accord of her birth or marriage, that she once
had a record of her birth in her Father's family
Bible, but her brother Jacob Powell borrowed it
from her Father to hanscribe his age as he was aboutremoving
away, and was killed in a short time
thereafter, and the book was never returned and
although diligent search and in [illegible] has been
made for it, it has never been found. She believes
that her marriage was never recorded but she
has a Record of the births of her children (the four
eldest) which is hereunto annesced, that it has
been in the [illegible] of her husband and herself
for forty odd years up to this time, that it is genuine
and in the handwriting of John Fellows now
deceased; That she is aged infirm and in
bad health, that she resides forty odd miles
from the Court House of her County and the Town
of Wilmington N.C. and she believes that it would
endanger her life [illegible] to and attend Court
[illegible] and subscribed the day and
year first above written and I do
hereby certify that the aforesaid
applecard Mary Powell is aged,
infirm and appears to be in bad health, that she
resides at the distance of forty two miles from 
the Court House for New Hanover County aforesaid
in Wilmington N.C., and it might be attended
with serious consequences to her health, were
she to travel to and attend Court and that the
words "according to Law,, were interlined in the 11th
line of first page before sworn to subscribed

[illegible] [illegible]

[RIGHT SECTION]
her
Mary Powell
[mark]
Page 15

State of North Carolina
New Hanover County

On this the 24th day of July AD. eighteen
hundred and thirty nine before the subscriber a 
Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally
appeared William Bland Sew a Resident
of Duplin County N.c. aged sixty eight year
the 23rd of last February who being first duly
sworn according to Law, doth on his oath
depose and say that he was [illegible] and an
eye-witness of the marriage between Elijah Powell
now deceased who was a pension and
his widow Mary Powell an applicant
for a pension under the act of Congress of
July 1st 1838, that it took [illegible] in Sampson
County N.C. in the month of June in the year
seventeen hundred and eighty nine he knows
the line by the age of his oldest child which
was born the 16th of January 1790 and recollects
that the marriage was in June preceding - 
that the marriage ceremony was performed by
William Robinson Esq: of Sampson County N.C.
[line scratched out starts] at the [illegible] of her Father Jacob Powell [illegible] [line scratched out ends]
in said County of Sampson at the house or rather
near the house of my aunt Molly Bland, the
parties having to meet in Sampson as it was inconvenient to procure a Magistrate or Clergyman to 
perform the rites in their neighbourhood, that
the parties returned to the house of her Father Jacob
Powell after the marriage and that the marriage
this affiant believes was a legal one- and that
the said Elijah Powell is reputed believes to have
been a soldier in the war of the Revolutionl -
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
before me & I hereby certify that said
William Bland is a credible [illegible]
& entitled to full faith & credit & that the
above 23rd line was erased before sworn to
subscribed
[illegible] Henry [illegible]

[BOTTOM RIGHT SECTION]
William Bland
his mark [mark]
Page 17

State of North Carolina
Sampson County

On this the 25th day of July A.D.
eighteen hundred thirty nine before the Subscriber
a Justice of the Peace in for said County
personally appeared William Robinson Esq.
a resident of said County of Sampson aged
seventy four years last December, who being
first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his
oath depose and say that he joined together
in the bonds of matrimony Elijah Powell now
deceased who was a pensioner and his widow
Mary Powell an applicant for a pension under
the act of Congress of July 7th 1838, he believes
in the summer of 1789, in said County of Sampson,
on the public road near the house where
Molly Bland then resided, that this affiant was
then an acting Justice of the Peace in and for
said County of Sampson duly commissioned and
sworn, that the parties met at the place aforesaid
at the lower end of this County near the dividing
line between said County of Sampson & New
Hanover, he supposes because it was not so
convenient to procure a Magistrate or clergyman
in their county to perform the rites and
that he believes the marriage to have been a
legal one according to the Laws of this State

Sworn to subscribed the day
& year aforesaid and I hereby
certify that William Robinson
the aforesaid affiant is a credible
witness and that his statement is entitled
to full faith & credit.
[illegible] Robinson [illegible]
W. Robinson
Page 18

I, Thomas J. Faison Clerk of the Court of
Pleas & Quarter Sepions for Sampson County N.C
do hereby certify that William L. Robinson Esq.
whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit
is and was at the date thereof an acting Justice of
the Peace in and for said County fo Sampson duly
commissioned and sworn, that full faith and
credit are due to his official act and that the
foregoing signatures purporting to be his is genuine

[illegible] testimony whereof I have
have hereunto set my hand and
affixed my seal of Office this the
19h day of August A.D. 1839 and
in the 64th year of American Independance.

Thomas J. Faison Clerk
Page 19

Ages of Children
Page 21

4,459
North-Carolina

Mary Powell
widow of Elijah Powell
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7. June, 1832
and who died on the 2nd. April, 1833
of Duplin in the State of N.Carolina
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Ellen of the Regiment commanded
by Col. Clinch in the N.Carolina
line for 14 months

Inscribed on the Roll of N.Carolina
at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of October
1839, and sent to [next word crossed out] and P. Murphy, Taylors'
Bridge, Sampson Co. N.C.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1939
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar. 1840

[EQUATION]
$198.31
$28.33
$226.64

[STAMP]
Act July 7,
1838.

Recorded by [illegible] W. Edwards Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2 Page 189
Page 22

[SIDE SCRIPT AT TOP LEFT]
Revy.

WIDOW, &C.

File No. 5570
Mary Powell
Wid.
Elijah Powell
Per. N.C. line

Act: Mch, 3/[illegible]3
Index: - Vol. H, Page 135

[BOTTOM BRACKETED TEXT]
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 23

Affidavit of 
Wms Dan Bland
A prove that Mary
Powell has not
married since
the death of her
husband
Page 24

State of North Carolina
Duplin County

On this the 3rd day of August
A.D. 1839 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace
in [illegible] said County personally appeared William
Bland and Daniel Bland residents of said
County of Duplin as he being first duly sworn
according to law maketh oath that they live neighbours 
to Mary Powell the [illegible] of Elijah Powell
dec'd and who is an applicant for a pension
under the act of Congress of July 7th 1838, that
they are well acquainted with her and they
know of their own certain knowledge that said
Mary Powell has never married since the death 
of her husband the said Elijah and is now a
widow.
Sworn to subscribed the day & year
aforesaid before one and I do
hereby certify that said William
& Daniel Bland are competent
and credible witnesses well known
to me that their statement is entitled to full faith
& credit. What the word "they,, in the tenth line was
erased before sworn to subscribed
Wm W [illegible]

[RIGHT SQUARE WRITING]
William Bland
his mark
Daniel Bland
Page 25

I James Dickson Clerk of the Court of Pleas
& Quarter Sessions for Duplin County N.C. do
hereby certify that William W. Rivenbark is an
acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County 
as above & that the foregoing signature purporting
to be his is genuine

On testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my handseal of
Office this the 5th day of August
A.D. 1859 & the 64th year of
American Independance
James Dickson Clerk
of Duplin County Court
Page 26

[SIDE TEXT]
July 6 87

[STRAIGHT TEXT]
James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 29

2672
Mary Powell's
Declaration
Act of Mar 3rd, 43
Page 30

State of North Carolina
New Hanover County

On this the 7th day of June 1843 personally
appeared before the subscriber a Justice
of the peace in and for said County Mary Powell
a resident of upper Black River disbid in the
County of New Hanover as aforesaid aged Sixty nine
years who being first duly sworn according to
law, doth on her oath make the following declaration,
in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made
by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd March, 1843,
granting pensions to widows of persons who served
during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow
of Elijah Powell who was a private in the war of 
the Revolution and served as specified in his
declaration and proofs for a pension under the
act of Congress of June 7th 1832, to which she asks
leave to refer, and the annual amount of the pension
which she received under the act of June 7th 1838 was
Fifty six dollars and sixty six cents. She further
declares that she is still a widow. May her

Sworn to and subscribed on the. Mary Powell
day and year above written before mark
me, and I certify that said Mary Powell is personally
known to me, and that I am fully satisfied of the
[illegible] of the foregoing statements.
Lewis Highsmith [illegible]
Page 31

State of North Carolina
County of New Hanover

I L H Marsteller
Clerk, of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sepions
of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that
Lewis Highsmith Esq, whose name is [illegible]
in the foregoing affidavit, was at the time of
signing thereof and is at this time an acting
Justice of the peace in and for said county

Given under my hand and
seal of Office this 12th day of
June AD 1843, and in the 
17th year of American Independance

L H Marsteller. Clerk
Page 32

Wilmington N.C. June 15 2843
tow: Ja. L. Edwards
[illegible] for

Enclosed is the declaration
of Mm Margaret Edens of this [illegible] for a
pension under the act of July, 1838 - with
proof - Further proof of the marriage is in [illegible]
in should it be acquired [illegible] the affidavit of
Benjah King a [illegible] to the marriage -

We expected also, to procure the affidavit of
Stephen Costin who knows something about
the services of John Edens & is acquainted with
the family & may be able to prove other servey
of Edens & if so [illegible] leave to [illegible] this
declaration and state such service should
it have been performed -Mr Costin way
expected to attend Court here this week, but has
failed to do so - may have deceased

Please address in reply to "Taylors'
Bridge, Sampson Co N.C.

I am, very respectfully
[illegible] observed
Patrick Murphy

P.S. also Enclose the Declaration of
Mary Powell under act of march 3 63

[SIDE TEXT]
taken on
Page 33

Elijah Powell
NC

[illegible] a [illegible]
n m Cavaly __ 5th
2 July __ [illegible
54.66

Patrick Murphy
Taylor Bridge P.O
NC
Page 34

State of North Carolina
Sampson County

On this the 29th day of August A.D.
1834 before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace
in aforsaid County, personally appeared
Elijah Powell an applicant for a pension
under the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832
to explain this preceding original declaration 
and being duly sworn, doth on his oath declare
and say, that in consequence of a long spell of
sickness about fifteen years ago, which contented
for several years and from which this applicant
is not now entirely exempt, this memory became very
much impaired, and this circumstance together with
this old age renders him very inadequate to give
a full or satisfactory account of his services during
the Revolutionary War _ but will endeavour to 
make out with as much precision and correctness as
possible a detailed statement of them

1st Being enrolled in the militia of Nash County N.C.
this applicant thinks in the spring of the year 1779.
there being a demand for soldiers, Colonel Thomas
Hunter the acting Colonel of said County ordered
out the militia for a draft. This applicant, rather 
chansland a draft, volunteered and entered service
as a private in a company of cavalry consisting of
about one hundred men, under Captain Howel
Ellen Lieutenant Avin, for three months and
served the term out, It being reported that the
British had landed at Newbern, he marched thither
and found the report to be false- it was said however
they were at the flats in their shipping - from Newbern
Page 35

he was marched to Kingston, thence to Godwens'
bridge across Contentiness Creek, where he was in a
skirmish with the tories, among whom were two British
deserters and killed three, wounded some, took five 
prisoners, including the British deserters who were sent
to Newbern jail, and put the whole party to [illegible] - From
there he marched to Downing Creek and was here
in a skirmish with a party of tories and defeated them
killed about six and wounded some, two ofour company
were killed vis Dance & Williamson- from thence he
was marched back to Contentney in Nash County
and came upon a party of tories at the plantation of a 
Mr Pugh who was himself a tory, fired upon them in a thicket
and they dispersed without returning the fire, thence he
marched to Square Nichenson's on Tar River, where
was kept provision for the soldiers, at which place,
having served out the three months for which he entexd
was discharged together with the whole company who
remained together loss excepted, the term out - it having
ended as this applicant believes in the latter part of 
summer 1779

[illegible]- In the fall of the same year vis 1779 as this declarant believes, the county being continually inferted
by the tories, he was called out by order of Colonel
Hunter and entered service again as a volunteer in
a company of militia cavalry under the same officers as
in the last mentioned tour vis Captain Ellen Lieutenant
Avin and served three months as a private - The
company [illegible] at 'Squire Nicherson's, and
it being a station, where provision and other receparie,
were convenient, was made a place of report when the
company were not out upon excursions - During this
tour a party of the tories being collected at a race
ground one of our company was sent thither as a
spy, used his endeavours to intoxicate the enemy, and
returned to us. As night approached the enemy repaired
to the house of their friend, a Mr Phillips' which was
convenient, and our company immediately surrounded
them, killed some, three in number and several
Page 37

5thly - After his return from the battle of Guilford
while he was abed one night at his brother inlaws
Hardy Strickland's, a party of the enemy came there
under the direction of one Henry Atkins, who inquired
for this applicant & one Alford. we were called up
and compelled to go with them to carry a flat down the
River for the British to cross in the Bridges having been
broken up to prevent them from passing over -
A British sargeant offered this applicant sixty [illegible]
to enlist but he refused - compelled him to take the
oath of allegiance to the King of Great Brittain and
gave this applicant and Alford a parole or protection
and permitted us to return home. On their return
apprehending danger from outliers, or disaffected
perious, they [illegible] the most private way and went 
to the granary at Squire Nickenon's, which was
kept guarded, and a place of rendezvous where he
met with Col. Clinch, Cap,t Ellen & Lieut Avin-
and consulted them what he should do-as he had
taken an oath to the King of Great Brittain - They
told him he must swear back again and load
his gun & go with them against the British, who were
then near, on their march northwardly; that he
thereupon volunteered and entered service again in
a company of militia cavalry under Col. Clinch
Capt Ellen & Lieut, Avin, in May as he thinks 1781
and pursued the British as far as Halifar, overtook
a party of them in the rear, took them prisoners and
put them in jail at that place - After this their
services were directed against the tories, who were
now become more bold in consequence of the late
apparent success of the enemy - and their late presence
in marching through that section - During this
tour on several occasions his company made prisoners
of the tories - killed some and hanged some-
Col Clinch killed thoo by the name of Ricks with
his sword & hung three at his gate whom we had taken