Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,684, for John Taylor, North Carolina
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SERVICE
N.C.


Taylor, John

NUMBER
S, 7684



carded
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State of North Carolina
Granville County
On this 25th day of December AD 1832,
personally appeared before me Leonard Henderson one
of the Judges of the Supreme Court for the State of
North Carolina, John Taylor Sr. a resident of the said
county & state, aged 76 years on the 4th Instant, who
being just 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.

I was born as I am informed in the State of Virginia
and at the age of two years was removed with my parents
to the county of Meclenburg in the same State, where
I lived untill the year 1777 when I removed to the county
of Granville in the State of North Carolina and settled myself
at my present residence where I have continued to live ever
since.
In the year 1778 a company
was raised in the county of Granville and was marched
to the defence of South Carolina and Georgia.  I am told that
my brother Richard Taylor was the Captain of this company
but of this fact I have no recollection.  The wife of my brother
Richard had had no intelligence of her husband in some
time and in consequence expressed uneasiness upon the 
subject in my presence.  To this I replied that as I had no family
I would go and if permitted serve out his time as a substitute.
Accordingly I soo set out with two young men of
my acquaintance Solomon Walker and Solomon Mitchel
to join the American Army.  We reached the army the stationed
on the North Side of Savannah River opposite to the town
of Augusta which was there in the possession of the British
Army.  Here I learned that my brother Richard had returned
home, for what cause or under what circumstances
I have no recollection but I have recently been informed and
believe that by reason of pique or disappointment in not being
raised to the grade of Major, he had resigned his commission
and left the service.  We were gladly received into the service
and I was a considerable time in the early part of my tour
in the family and [illegible] of Col. Lythe.    A detachment
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under the command of Genl. Ash having been ordered across
the river were directed to take their station at the point where
Briar Creek empties into the Savannah River, at this time I
belonged to the company of which Lieuftenant Pleasant Henderson
had in part the command, and I believe I was of the same
mess with him.  this company belonged to the detachment under
Genl. Ash.  How long we remained on duty at the post on
Briar Creek I am unable to state, but a few days before
the attack on our detachment which proved so fatal  to it,
Gen.l Ash sent Lieuftenant Henderson with dispatches to the Genl.
commanding Purysburg (I believe it was Genl Lincoln) and I
was selected to accompany him.  On the
instant of our departure Lieuftenant Henderson seeing I
had not  my saddlebags, insisted that I should return and
get them.  I replied it would be unnecessary as we should be
back again in a few days, but the solicitation being repeated
I did return to my quarter and got them.  We mounted our
horses and had not travelled far before Henderson remarked
to me that he had a particular reason for insisting on my
taking my saddlebag: you now I says he will ever see this place
again--there will be a battle here before we return.
In due time we arrived at Purysburg.  Here we remained  perhaps
3 or 4 days when we set out to return to our station.  On our
return we met the straglers of our party flying from the battle
ground at Briar Creek and I recollect of giving away to them
all the cloaths in my saddlebags.  I have no recollection at this time
but presume we returned and joined the Army at Purysburg
nor do I recollect where we were discharged.  I have ever thought
and I now believe that I joined the army in so short a time
after the commencement of the service, that I was received for
the whole tour.  Tho it was at the same time impressed upon
my mind that the term of service was but for five months.
I have however, recently been informed that the term of service was
for six months after being mustered at Charlotte, and it may be
that I have confounded the time I actually served with the length
of the whole term of service.  I am satisfied I served at least
five months.        In the month of August
1780 a regiment of volunteers was mustered into service at
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Oxford in the County of Granville under the command of Col.
Phil. Taylor of which regiment I was a member, and the subject
at all times to the military duty of a soldier, was frequently engaged
in doing the duties of commissary.  The Regiment marched through
Hillsboro, Salisbury and Charlotte and finally to the Catawba River.
At Salisbury the Regiment was placed under the command of
Col. Davies.  I have not a recollection of many events which occurred
during this tour, perhaps of none which are known at the department
of war, nor are the above facts stated as of my own knowledge
or recollection.  I recollect of encamping at Harisburg near Oxford,
I suppose soon after the forming of the regiment, perhaps while
[crossed  out...........] it was organising --as passing through Charlotte
and being much annoyed by the [illegible] of beef in marching
through a recent encampment of the British  Army.  Of purchasing
on one occasion a large quantity of flour for the use of the Army.
Also on one occasion our regiment being aware of its liability
to be attacked laid down to sleep upon our arms.  In the course of
the night we were waked with as  little nose as possible and changed
our grounds.  I think it was afterward said that in a short time after our
leaving it, the ground was covered by the Dragoons of Tarlton, who
would but for our timely notice of his approach have cut us to
pieces.  At the waxaws I remember of being in company with Genl.
Davie when the latter pointed out to me a meeting house and remarked that he was educated by his uncle to succeed him as the Pastor of that house. I particularly recollect of being much affected by the solemn spectacle of the tombstones in the surrounding church yard.  I have no recollection of the length of this tour, but have been informed and believe it was for four months.  Nor do I  remember where we were discharged.  I have no recollection of serving a less period than the whole term and believe that I did serve out the whole Term.  Shortly after the expiration of this tour of duty, a Regiment of mounted volunteers was raised in North Carolina and placed under the command of Col. Malmady and Major Pleasant Henderson. One company was raised in my neighbourhood.  Among other persons composing the company were James Lyne, James Lewis, Joseph P Davis, John Farrar, James Minge Burton, two of my brothers,, Lewis and Edmund Taylor, the one older and the other younger than myself, and Robert Goodloe Harper who has since been distinguished in the publick council of his country.  When the company met at Oxford, in consequence I suppose of my having seen some service in the Tours
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they were pleased to elect me their Captain.  I think we
marched from Oxford to Hillsboro, but my only reason for thinking
is that Hillsboro was a common place of meeting on such
occasions. I however distinctly recollect that, after we joined with 
Malmady and the other companies of the Regiment and within several miles
of Guilford Court house, while at breakfast, we heard the report of the 
Artillery in the battle which had just commenced.  Malmady guided
by the report of the Artillery, attempted to reach the battleground by
marching through the woods instead of the more circuitous rout along
the road, but the ground became so rocky and uneven that we
had finally to rertrace our steps to the road we had left.  Here we
met hundreds of our men flying from the battleground.  they could
give us no information as to the issue of the engagement and we pursued
our march untill we arrived in sight of the ground; This we found
in the possession of the Enemy.  I think it was now about night.  I recollect
of seeing the guns of the Enemy stacked around their fires, and that a
Council of officers was held to consult on the Propriety of attacking
their camp, and I think , further that the measure was opposed only
by Malmady himself.  I suppose we of course after this followed on
after Genl. Green, tho if we joined him, and it is my impression we were
with him for about half a day; it was for a very short time for Malmady
was ordered to pursue Cornwallis after the latter had left Guilford
Courthouse. In the course of this pursuit I was ordered to find out the position of the British Army. with the permission to take with me as many 
men as I pleased. I selected seven, among them were Benjamin Hester, 
James Minge Burton, and Robert Goodloe Harper. My instructions were , that I should find Col. Malmady, on such a day at such a place and on 
such another day at such another place.  After, I think, two or three
days search, we obtained information of the situation of the main body
of the Brittish army and also that on another road the enemy were
driving three hundred beeves and that they would be compelled to march fifteen miles before they would meet the man body.  Soon after this discovery, I believe it was in a few hours, and while in the immediate
neighbourhood of the enemy, so much did our company and our horses
require refreshment that we were tempted to halt at a cabin and
turn our horses into a wheat lot near the house, and to partake of
breakfast which was promised us by the woman of the house.
While the woman was frying our homony, for it was all she could
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offer us I went out on the eastern side of the cabin in company with the
rest of my men except James M. Burton who remained in the house.
The morning  being cool we went out to bask in the sun leaving our
arms within.  In a few minutes I heard a voice inquire for the man
of the house, when on looking round I saw the front part of the cabin
surrounded by seven or eight armed men on horseback.  I whispered
my party to follow me, who readily obeyed, and I walked into the cabin
parting as went two horses on which were mounted as many men armed
with rifles.  The enemy not knowing whether we were friends or
enemies, or perhaps from pure cowardice, made no attempt at resisting
our progress.  After getting into the house I ordered my men to get their
guns and drawing my sword, presented myself at the door and enquired
of them who they were for Having been satisfied from signs of
confusion among them that they were enemies, perhaps it was by a motion among them to retreat, I ordered my men to fire.  They did so, but it
was in such a hurried manner, that it was without much effect, altho'
the enemy had to march single file through a small gate in front of
the house.  One man however I observed put his hand to his back and
at the same time his hat dropped from his head and I afterwards
understood it was on Captain Dark of the British Army who died
of a wound he at that instant received.  The would was well understood
to have been given by Robert Harper.  No sooner had the
enemy departed than we became much alarmed for the danger we
had passed, and catching up our horses we set out on our return to
our Regiment.  Malmady was not at the place he had appointed to be
at on that day, where that place was I do not recollect, nor do I  remember 
where we joined him nor how long I was in search of him;
but I remember it was esteemed particularly a matter of regret that
we had lost the opportunity of taking the beeves as it would have been
so easy a conquest.  Soon afterwards i have been informed it was while
Cornwallis was at Ramsy's Mills Col. Malmady ordered an attack on
Tarlton's Dragoons in order to draw them out in pursuit that Major
Pleasant Henderson with a detatchment placed in ambush might
attack them when their drawn out.  The command of this attack
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I have recently been informed was was given to DeGloback  a
young Frenchman, tho I had always believed he was subordinate
to myself.  The necessary preparations having been made Gloeback
and myself set out at the head of the company ordered to make the
attack consisting, I think of about forty men.  Riding side by side
DeGloback remarked to me that one or the other of us would in all
probability be killed.  To which I replied if they kept double pickets
perhaps we  both would be.  In a little time accordingly we saw two
pickets, after getting within about forty yards they fired at us, and we
rushed forward at full speed.  The pickets ran a short distance when
they joined twenty or thirty more of their fellows who had been stationed
as sentries to the main body  The whole of them there ran in the direction
of the main body which was perhaps two or three hundred
yards further on; but they were overtaken by us and three of them 
taken prisoners, while as attention and operations were thus directed
to the guard, before we were aware of it, we were nearly surrounded
by about four hundred Hessians, and being unable to return in
the direction in which we had made the attack, were compelled
to retreat in a different direction altho' the enemy assailed us with
a shower of shot, we sustained not the least injury, and brought
off our prisoners.  In conversation with Major P. Henderson
afterwards, he said he though 3,000 shot had been fired
at us.  I have understood that Tarlton refused to pursue us
suspecting that it was a decoy of Genl. Green.  The prisoners were ordered
by De Globack to be executed on the pretence that the enemy
would pursue us, but this order was countermanded by me.
James Lyne one of my nearest neighbours, brought off a Hessian
rifle which he took home with him.   When Cornwallis left Ramsay's 
Mills for Wilmington, Col. Malamady was ordered to pursue him
for the purpose of protecting the intermediate country from
his ravages.  My impressions as to the length of this term have
always been that it was for two months.  I have recently
understood that it was rated for three months by reason
of our finding horses.      Besides the military tours above recited,
I was employed by Genl. Davies as an assistant in his commissary
department on the following occasions; the precise date
of either of which I have forgotten.  I have no documentary evidence
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on the subject,
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I William Hunt of the County of Granville and state of North
Carolina do hereby certify that in the month of August in
the year 1780, a regiment of mounted volunteers was 
mustered into service in the town of Oxford in the
County of  Granville and State of 
North Carolina the command of which was given to Phil.
Taylor as Col. and myself as Major.  After the organization
of our regiment we marched through Hillsboro to Salisbury.
Salisbury we found embodied a regiment of volunteers under
the command of Col. Davie who took the command in chief
of both regiments.  From Salisbury we marched to Charlotte.
Between Salisbury and Charlotte an attachment of our
main body in advance had an engagement with the 
rear of the British army in which a loss of Genl. Lock
who was killed.  This took place in the neighbourhood
of Charlotte and I believe in a day or two after our arrival
at Salisbury, we remained at the latter place, I believe
but one night.  From Charlotte we marched further
south having no particular place of destination,
our object being  to follow on after Cornwallis to protect
the country from his ravages.  We were however for
short periods at six mile creek, twelve miles creek, and
at waxaw creek; when Cornwallis crossed the Catawba
river, we returned to a place or settlement called
Providence where we remained untill relieved by
Genl. Smalwood.  Our term of service was for three
months, but by reason of the protectless situation of
the country the Genl. in command refused to discharge
us untill about one month afterwards, when we were
relieved by Genl. Smalwood as above stated.  I further
certify that the above applicant John Taylor  was a 
soldier in the regiment of which I had in part the command
that he was subject to military duty, but was occasionally
employed in the commissary department and that he
served out the whole term as above stated.
I further certify that I have heard the declaration of the
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place of a man by the name of Bridges in the company of
Capt. Taylor who was accordingly discharged.  I distinctly recollect
the two  incidents recited in the above declaration of the
applicant John Taylor, for of the affair at the cabin in the
neighbourhood of the British army and of the attack upon Tarlton's
Dragoons. I think in the affair of the cabin as above recited. The
reason why we were permitted to return from without to
the inner part--where we had left our arms, was owing to our
impression among the enemy (who I think were tories) that
we were on their side.  At least I think we came to this conclusion
afterwards, [ the rest of the line is crossed out........................]
In retreating the gate in front of the house being
narrow a part of the enemy charged the fence. I think the
person who is represented as having received a wound on the
occasion, of which he afterwards died was one Captain Crump.
His hat which is represented, as falling from his head at the instant of receiving the wound, was taken possession of by my brother Jo.
who was one of the party.  My brother John Hester was another of the
party. The attack upon the British army as above related was
conducted by Capt. Taylor and DeGoback,  at least I recollect
of their riding side by side ahead of the attacking party, but
DeGloback had no commission for I well recollect of being afterwards
by him & near to Wilmington when he received his commission.
His [illegible] at the time of receiving it was " Dam 'em
I'll fight them to the very hell".  The three prisoners who
are represented as having been taken in the attack
were each of them wounded by my own sword.  The two first--
were of the centries at their post.--In making our retreat I was
for a minute or so thrown off from the rest of the company
and in the mean time I came across the third Hessian 
behind a tree and drove him along before me until
I came up with the rest of the company.  De Globack
immediately ordered me to kill him.  I gave him a severe
cut upon the head, and aimed a second blow across his
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above applicant read, and that I believe this statement
to be substantially true, not only from his character
for truth and veracity--but from universal report
of his services rendered during the Revolutionary war.
(signature of Wm. Hunt)
Dec. 25th   Sworn to before
me Leonard Henderson
one of the Judges of the Supreme
Court of No. Carolina.
(signature of L Henderson)

Granville County
State of North Carolina
Dec. 25th 1832 Sworn to before
me Leonard Henderson
one of the Judges of the Supreme
Court of No. Carolina
(signature of L. Henderson)

Granville County
State of North Carolina
December 27th 1832
In addition to the foregoing certificate I further
certify that I believe the above applicant John
Taylor Sr. to be seventy six years of age as he states
and that I am informed and believe from
bodily infirmity he is unable to attend court.
(L Henderson J. L.

Granville County
State of North Carolina
February Term AD. 1833.
On this day of February 1833 personally appeared in
open court Benjamin Hester who being duly sworn made the following affidavit viz.  That he joined the army of Genl. Green at Trouble Iron works the day after the battle of Guilford courthouse and in a day or two afterwards took the
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opinion.
Willis Harris
M Sneed
Sworn to & subscribed
the day & date as above

And the said court, do hereby declar this
opinion after the investigation of the 
matter, and after pulling the interrogatories
prescribed by the War Department that
the above name applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, & served as he states---
and the Court further certifies, that it
appears to them, that Willis Harris is a
clergyman & resident of the county of Granville
and that William M Sneed who has also
signed the same is also a resident of said
county, and is a credible person, and that
their statement, entitled to credit.
And the said court do hereby further certify that the statement
of the affiant William Hurt, taken before the Hon.l Len. Henderson
one of the Judges of the supreme court of North Carolina is entitled
to credit and that the said affiant is detained from court
in disposition and also that Benjamin Hester the affiant to
the above declaration is a credible person and that his statement
is entitled to credit.
BB [illegible]
S H Parish
[illegible signature]  

Court now in session
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State of North Carolina
Granville County

I Stephen K Sneed Clerk of the Court of Pleas
& Quarter Sessions for the County and Stat aforesaid
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application John Fay for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office 
this 5th day of February AD 1833.

Steph K Sneed Clk
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face but being on horseback I missed my aim and
my sword fell across his breast without any effect.  I then
desisted--whether of my own accord or by orders, I do not
recollect.  We pursued on after Cornwallis in his retreat towards
Wilmington as related in the declaration of the applicant
and was carried in the pursuit within sight of the town.
A short time before the expiration of our term of service
I was sent with my two brother, John and Jo. with despatches
to Genl. Green and as the term would have expired before
our return we were discharged.  Capt Taylor served in the
capacity of Captain from the commencement of the tour untill
my discharge and I have no doubt but that he
served out the whole term.  The term of service was
for three months. I was discharged however by our serving
two months on horse back which was a priviledge
usually allowed in the service at that day.  I have heard
the whole of the declaration of the above applicant read
and altho' I have no personal knowledge of his serving any
other tour than the one under Col. Malmady, yet I have
always understood that he rendered other service and from
this circumstance and his general character.  I have
no hesitation in saying that I believe in the truth of the
statements in his declaration.
(mark of Benjamin Hester)
Sworn to in open Court
(signature of Step K Sneed) Clk

We Willis Harris, Clergyman & William M Sneed
residing in the county of Granville & State aforesaid
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
John Taylor Sr, who has subscribed & sworn to
the above declaration; that we believe him
to be about the age he states; that he is respected
& beloved in the neighbourhood where he 
resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution,
& that we concur in that
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Washington City 15th July 1833.

I Willis P. Mangum one of the Justices from North
Carolina, certify that Leonard Henderson whose
signature are in the foregoing, & before whom the
affidavit of John Taylor the applicant, I William
Hart a witness were made, in the Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, & was
Chief Justice at the time said affidavits were made.
That the signatures are in the proper hand
writing of sd. Les. Henderson Chief Justice as
aforesaid.  I further certify that the signature
of Wm. Hunt is in his proper hand writing
and that said Col. Hunt is a gentleman of
high character & standing, & that the most
implicit reliance should be placed in his
statement.
Given under my hand
(signature of Willis P. Mangum)