Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8564, Alexander Gilreath, N.C.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE

NUMBER

N.C.

Gilreath, Alexander

S.8564.

[illegible] N.C.

CONTENTS
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[illegible] to pay Decr 9th 1842

= 1853

April 11, Let to William Warden

Date of death not on AB

16046

North Carolina 16046

Alexander Gilreath

of Wilkes in the State of North Car.

who was a pri. & sergt. in the company commanded

by Captain Allen in the Regt. commanded

by Col. Hampton in the North Caro.

line for 3 mos and 7 days

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina

at the rate of 35 Dollars 77 Cents per annum,

to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of June 33

and sent S.F. Patter-son Wilkesboro N.C.

Arrears to the 4th of March 33 – 71.54

Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept “ – 17.88

$89.42 ½

{Revolutionary Claim,}

{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Wm. Miller Clerk,

Book E Vol. 6 Page 41
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Alexander Gilreath

18594
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State of North Carolina}

County of Wilkes.} [illegible]

On this 30th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of the County of Wilkes & State of North Carolina now sitting Alex-ander Gilreath Esquire, a resident of the County of Wilkes & State of North Carolina aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

That he was born on the 15th day of November 1755 in the County of Bute (now Warren) in the state of North Carolina, (the record of which he has entered in a prayer book now in his possession) where he continued to reside until the year 1776 when he removed to Wilkes County N.C. where he now lives. In the latter part of the year 1779 a call was made for a company of militia from the County of Wilkes; and a company was immediately raised partly by draft and partly by volunteers, (of which last description this deponent was one) and placed under the command of Capt Richard Allen (now Col. Allen) and as soon thereafter as the company was organized and the necessary preparations made, they set out upon their march in the early part of January 1780 for Charleston South Carolina, where they were attached to the regiment of Col Hampton, which was attached to the Brigade commanded by Genl. Lellinger, a militia Genl, the whole however being under the command of Genl Lincoln
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one of the regular officers. After arriving at Charleston they were stationed some time in the vicinity, at a place called the Smoky Camps, where they remained until orders were received for them to march into the city, when they were stationed in houses in various parts of the City as the weather was intensely cold. The regiment to which this deponent be-longed continued in Charleston until their term of service expired which was on the 24th day of March 1780 when they received their discharges and returned home, which place they reached some time in April, having served for three months. In this tour, this deponent served as orderly sergeant of the Company to which he belonged.

About the first of July following a Captain Luke Lea raised a company of Tories in the County of Wilkes for the purpose of cooperating with a body of Tories which were said to be collecting at Ramsours Mills. Upon hearing this in-formation Col. Benjamin Cleveland issued orders for all the Whig militia of the County to rendezvous at the Court House to pursue Lea. This deponent again Volunteered himself and joined Col. Cleveland at the Court House on the 6th day of July, and marched immediately in pursuit of Captain Lea who had taken the direction to Ramsours Mills. When Col Cleveland and his troops had arrived within about fifteen Miles of Ramsours Mills one Captain Gist with some others was detailed by Col. Cleveland to go forward as spies and reconnoitre the enemy Camp. They immediately set out and rode
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all night having reconnoitred the position of the enemy & returned with the intelligence about day light. Upon receiving this information, Col. Cleveland and his troops forthwith marched with all possible speed for Ramsours mills, but did not arrive until after the action at that place had been fought. After arriving at that place they assisted in guarding and taking care of the prisoners which had been taken, for a day or two, and until an express arrived informing Col. Cleveland that Col. Bryan (a Tory Col) was raising a body of Tories in the Counties of Wilkes & Iredell, and was making their way down the Yadkin. Upon hearing this information Col. Cleveland with his troops immediately set out in pursuit, and followed Col. Bryan as far as the Trading ford on the Yadkin, but finding that Bryan was too far ahead, & his troops not prepared for a long tour, he concluded to return, and after arriving near home he disbanded his troops and each one returned to his respective home having been gone in their expedition between three & four weeks.

About the last of August or first of September following this deponent again volunteered himself and rendezvoused at Wilkes CH under Col Cleveland to go against the Tories and Majr Ferguson who was said to be advancing from South Carolina. After being stationed at Wilkes CH for about two weeks organizing the troops and preparing for their march, they set out for the purpose meeting
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Majr Ferguson. When they had advanced as far as [illegible] Fort in Burke County, this deponent was taken sick and was there left. As soon as he was able to travel he returned home and there remained until Colo Cleveland & Colo Camp-bell returned with the prisoners which they had taken at Kings mountain, as far as Wilkes CH where the deponent rejoined them and marched with them down to the old [illegible] Town in the County of Stokes, where they were stationed about four weeks guarding the prisoners until they were relieved, when he returned home. In this expedition this deponent believes he served about two months.

In the month of February 1781 when Lord Cornwallis was marching through North Carolina this deponent again vol-unteered himself and rendezvoused at Wilkes CH where he joined a company commanded by Captain Richard Allen and marched through Iredell near to Salisbury when they received information that Lord Cornwallis was at that time in Salis-bury. Upon hearing this fact they changed their route and proceeded toward Salem in order to join Genl Greene, who was supposed to be between that place and Dan River. When they had proceeded some distance beyond Salem, orders were received from Genl Greene for them to return and endeavor to meet Genl Pickens so as to conduct him through the country in order to form a junction with Genl Green. They did return and met with Genl Pickens in the County of Surry, whom they conducted to Salem where they joined Colo Locke’s regiment. Upon leaving
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Salem, Colo Locke & Genl Pickens divided the troops, the latter taking the road to Hillsboro and the former taking a rout higher up the Country. This deponent was under command of Colo Locke, and when they had proceeded as far as the County of Rockingham, they received infor-mation from Genl Pickens, that a considerable number of Tories had embodied themselves under a Col Pyles, and requesting Colo Locke to repair with his troops to meet at Trollinger’s ford on Haw River, in order to attack Col Pyles. Colo Locke with his troops imme-diately changed their rout for Trollinger’s ford, but before they reached it, Genl Pickens had engaged with the Tories and defeated them. As soon as they heard this, they turned about and marched for Genl Green’s army, which they joined near the High Rock. After remaining with Genl Green’s army for a few days, the regiment under Colo Locke was discharged and returned home. In this tour this deponent served from a month to five weeks.

This deponent performed several other short tours against the Tories in fact from the 1st of June to the last of November 1780, he was almost constantly in service against the Tories, and in serving the country from place to place, and arresting and disarming suspected persons and bringing them to trial. But the particular periods of each term of service it is impossible for him to remem-
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-ber nor in fact was he under the command of regular officers, but was governed, as most of the whigs were, by the necessity for their services, and the circumstances by which they were surrounded.

This deponent has no documentary evidence by which to prove his services but refers to the affidavits of Colo Richard Allen and Mr. Elijah Vickes who were with him, and which are hereto annexed for proof of them. He has no discharges, nor has he any recollection of ever receiving any. He has resided in the County of Wilkes ever since the Revolutionary war, and resides there at this time.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.

Sworn to & Subscribed, the day & year aforesaid.

Alexr Gilreath

R. Martin C.W.C.C.

This deponent further states that since the foregoing declaration was prepared (which was some days before the setting of court) he has heard of the death of Colo Richard Allen, and is consequent-ly thereby deprived of the benefit of his testimony, he there-fore further states that he knows of no person living whose testi-mony he could procure, who can testify to that portion of his service which he expected to prove by the said Colo Richard Allen, but refers to Majr John Finley & Saml F Patterson as persons to whom he is well acquainted, and who can cer-tify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his
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services as a soldier of the revolution.

Sworn to & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid

Alexr Gilreath

R Martin C.W.C.C.

On the day and year aforesaid, personally appeared in open court before the Court aforesaid, Elijah Vickes, who being first duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that he served with Alexander Gilreath Esq. the above appli-cant during three of the tours of duty mentioned in the fore-going declaration. To wit the tour under Colo Cleveland to Ramsours Mills, and thence down to the trading ford on the Yadkin, after a body of tories commanded by Colo Bryan. The tour performed by the said Alexr Gilreath part of the way to Kings Mountain under Colo Cleveland, (he being left on the way sick) and thence down to the Moravian Town guarding the prisoners [illegible] and the tour under Capt Allen towards Salisbury, and thence to where they joined Genl. Pickens, and thence to Salem, where they joined Col Locke, and from thence to the High Rockford on Haw River where they joined Genl Greene, and further, that the said three several tours of duty as set for the specified in the foregoing declaration, as having been performed by the said Alexander Gilreath, were performed by him.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

his

Elijah x Vickes

mark

R. Martin C.W.C.C.

We John Finley & Saml. F. Patterson, residents of the County of Wilkes & State of North Carolina, hereby certify that we
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are well acquainted with Alexander Gilreath Esq. who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy six years of age, that he is re-puted and believed, in the neighborhood where he re-sides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn, & subscribed, the day and year aforesaid

Jno Finley

R. Martin C.W.C.C.

S.F. Patterson

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the inter-rogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Elijah Vickes who has sub-scribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit, and Majr John Finley & Saml F. Patterson who have signed the preceding certificate, are residents of the County of Wilkes and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

W. Davenport [illegible]
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I Robert Martin Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions of the County of Wilkes & State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Alexander Gilreath for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 30th day of October, 1837

R. Martin C.W.C.C.

State of North Carolina}

Wilkes County} [illegible]

Personally appeared before me, the under-signed a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Alexander Gilreath Esq. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades. For three months I served as a Sergeant. For Six months and seven days I served as a private, and for such service I claim a pension.

This deponent further saith by way of amendment to the foregoing declaration, and to obviate the objections of the
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War Department thereto that the reason he did not procure the certificate of a Clergyman, is that there is none resi-ding in his neighborhood, nor any within a reasona-ble distance that he could procure.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 25th day of May 1833.

Alexr Gilreath

Joel Vannoy J.P.

I Robert Martin Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for County of Wilkes & State of North Carolina hereby certify that Joel Vannoy Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is and was at the time of witnessing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, and that the signature appended thereto purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed my Seal of Office this 25th day of May 1833.

R. Martin Clk

by

B.W. Cass D Clk
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18 594

Alexander Gilreath

Wilkes co

N.C.

Admit as

Sergt 3 mo	15

6 mo 7 days pri	20.77

$34.77

5.12.16

2nd.2.7.

Apl. 30. ’33-

P. 363

S.F. Patterson

Wilkesboro

N.C.
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BRIEF in the case of Alexander Gilreath of Wilkes co in the State of North Carolina

(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 76

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.	Duration of Service.	Rank.	Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

Years,	Months,	Days.	As a	Gen. Lellinger, Gen Lincoln

3

Volunteer in 1779	About 3	Sergeant	Col. Hampton

do 1780	From 1 to 5 weeks	Private	Col. Cleaveland

5. In what battles was he engaged? None named

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wiles co. N.C.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The certificate & seal of Clerk not annexed, as required, to the testimony

X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

J.G. Bradford

Examining Clerk.
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In reply to your request of	, received	for a statement of the military history of Alexander Gilreath a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow’s) application for pen-sion on file in this Bureau. S. F. 8564.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.

LENGTH OF SERVICE.

RANK.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.

CAPTAIN.	COLONEL.

STATE.

Late in 1779.	3 mos.	[illegible] Sgt.	Richard Allen	Hamtpon	N.C.

July 1780.	4 wks.	Pri.	✓	Benj. Cleveland

Aug. or Sept. 1780	2 mos.	“	✓	Benj. Cleveland

1780.	{several tours [illegible]	“	✓	✓

{to 2 mos.	“

Feb. 1781	5 wks.	“	Richard Allen	Locke

Battles engaged in,	✓

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wilkes Co. N.C.

Date of application for pension, Oct. 30, 1832. His cl. was al.

Residence at date of application, Wilkes Co., N.C.

(which was afterwards Warren Co.)

Age at date of application, B Nov. 15, 1755. Bute Co., N.C.

Remarks: There is no data relative to family.

Very respectfully,

6-2856

Commissioner.
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1912, Sept. 28. Hist. to Mrs. A. Prescott.	[illegible]
8564
Rev War

INVALID.

File No. 8564

Alexander Gilreath

Sergt Rev War

Act: June 7th 1832

Index:-Vol. 1st, Page 141

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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PENSION

D

SEP

U.	23	S.

1912

OFFICE
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Farlinger Apartment
East Ave, Atlanta, Ga
Sept 20-1912

Commissioner of Pensions –

Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: Will you please send me the record of service of the Revolutionary Pensioners, Alexander Gilreath of Wilkes Co. N.C. in 1833, and John Barnwell of Cobb Co. Ga in 1840, and also any family record that may be mentioned in the papers.

Very Truly yours

Mrs. A. Prescott
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Pension Office

Fayetteville Decr. 5th 1842

James L. Edwards Esqr.

Commissioner of Pensions

Sir

Please examine and authorize payment to Alexander Gilreath 1832. 12 mo $35.77

Respectfully

Your [illegible]

Jno Huske

[illegible]
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Know all men by these presents that I Alexander Gilreath of Wilkes County state of North Carolina do hereby irrevocably appoint & constitute John Y. Bryant of the City of Washington, District of Columbia my time & lawful Attorney for me & in my name, place & stead to claim, recover and receive for me, any sum or sums of money due me & unpaid to me, on account of any arrearages or increase of pension, which may be due me under existing pension laws, to file such evidence as may be required, make such arguments as may be requisite, to secure and collect such sums of money as may be found to be due and to receipt for the same, as my said Attorney. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may legally do or cause to be done in the premises.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 5 day of July 1852

Witness

Alexander Gilreath

Finley Laws

Phineas Marlow

State of North Carolina}

Wilkes County} SS

Be it known that on the 5 of July 1852, before the subscriber a W.W. Wright in & for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths personally appeared Alexander Gilreath above named & acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act and deed.

The testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & year last above mentioned

W.W. Wright J.p {Seal}
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State of North Carolina}

Wilkes County}

I W. Mastin of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions do certify that W.W. Wright is a magistrate as above duly Commissioned Sworn, and that the foregoing Signature purp-orting to 
be his is genuine

Given under my hand & seal of Said Court at Office July 10th 1832

W. Mastin Clk