Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,821, for William Lesley, North Carolina
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(3─1776)

SERVICE
N.C.

Lesley, William

NUMBER
S. 31,821

CONTENTS
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[left side of page]

d. Dec. 23. 1832

[right side of page]

12.031
Georgia

William Lesley
of Ogelthorf in the State of Geo
who was a private in the compy commanded by Captain Forbes of the Regt commanded by Paisley in the N. Car:
line for six months

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
at the rate of 20 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of March 1833 and sent to Geo W Dudley
Lexington Geo:

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833    40
Seminal. allowance ending 4 Sept    10
$50

Revolutionary Claim}
Act June 7, 18??}

Recorded by Nan Rice   Clk
Book  E  Vol.  six  Page 90
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Claim of William Lesley Revolutionary war 1832 Admit as private for 6 or from 1780, Capt Fre Paisley N. C. Militia 
20. M. Dudley

Serington Ogletha Co
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Georgia
Oglethorpe County SS

On this third day of September eighteen hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Inferior Court while setting for ordinary purposes
William Leslie a resident of the County & State
aforesaid aged sixty nine years & eight months
who being first duly sworn according to law
doth on his oath make the following declara
tion in order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress passed on the Seventh of June of the present
year entitled an act supplementary to the act for
the relief of certain surviving officers & soldiers
of the Revolution. That he entered the service of
the United States against England in the war
the revolution under the following named office
& served as herein after stated.
That he was born in Guilford County North Carolina
on the twenty fifth day of November seventeen hundred
& sixty two. has a transcript of his age which
he took from the family bible. was living in an
ford when he was drafted to serve in the revolution
by war between England & America - he entered
the service in the militia of North Carolina under
General Davidson in the year seventeen hundred
& Eighty-- does not recollect the day but it
was in the month of August in that year as
he marched from Guilford to Charlotte he met
General Gates men returning from their defeat
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near Camden marched on from Charlotte to brish of Camps towards Ninety-six. After arriving here General Greene & Morgan took the command of the Southern Army & applicants commanding officers were Colonel
Ticely Major Moore & Captain Forbes he belonged to the third regiment of North Carolina Militia was requainted with the Maryland line who were the first req
troops of Infantry that joined them there here
commanded by one Howard who was said to be a Virginia an officer by the name of William Washington (as he thinks) & another by the name of Lee Com
manded the cavalry & overtook the southern army atsians ferry on the Yadkin as they were advancing towards Charlotte. This tour was of three months duration
its duties as it happened consisted principally in marching from point to point - there was not so much as a skirmish during the whole tour. He was discharged from this tour at Mr Coppins rick in North Carolina - his step father drew his discharge & kept it so that applicant never got it indeed his step-father claimed it as a matter of right in as much as applicant was not twenty one years old contending that he was entitled to the proceeds of applicant labor until he was of age. In a very few days after his discharge from the first tour he volunteered in the militia army in the same regiment & under the same officers Green the commanding general circumstance which assist his mind in a
riving at the fact that the time between his discharge
& his volunteering was only a few days is
this before he was discharged Howard & Washing
to
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went on to the Cowpens in So Carolina where they defeated, Tarlton & he recollects while acting as a volunteer that he guarded some prisoners taken by them at the Cowpens from near Salisbury to fifteen miles below Guilford Court House & there gave them up to another party. He recollects that it was a cold wet day & that the guard called at the house of Colonel Parcely where they had tenty of liquor & a good fire among the prisoners was a Colonel Burks a tory who thrust himself in to get the benefit of the fire- Pacely asked him what
he came in for - Burks replied to warm himself
Pacely shewed him the door & as he retreated took chair & knocked him out of the door into the lane. From this place the detachment went
back & joined the main army again at Sloane
Ferry. By this time Cornwallis was said to be
at Charlotte & our Colonel, beat up for volun
teers to go & stop a party of tories who they heard were about to go & join him-- he mustered about 4 300 of whom deponent was one they set out & struck for the fork of the Yadkin crossed over into it & went up to a place called the cross roads about a mile from Shallowford and there while they were preparing for breakfast the tories came up on horse back shouting praises to king George & gave some appearance of being intoncated-- the detachment fixed on them & killed sixteen the rest fled rapidly through the woods.
one man belonging to the detachment was more tally wounded but deponent does not know whether he received his wound from the tories or with 1
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whether he was shot by carness in his own ranks they moved from there to Shallowford & incamped hear the river next day went on to sum or Moravian town where they staid & dried their clothes & that night deponent stood centinel four hours in an old field - thinks this was some time in December marched from that place to the main army at Sloans ferry-- Not many days after this Green commenced his retreat to her give on the situat March they passed through Gilford crossed Haw river at High rock ford & went on by the red house crossed Danriver at Boyd's ferry waded Staunton & crossed in ister on a bridge & after passing some short distance beyond the old courthouse in Mechlinbury
County Virginia they stopped some days took rest for provisions, during this whole route Cornwall was close in pursuit & the forces of the American thinks were not more than 2000 men. Having not a few days rest Washington & see with the carry went back into N. Carolina to keep the British from pillaging plundering & getting provision & the Infantry also went back leaving been to recruit in Virginia on their return march they scoured the country in every direction until grane returned when they joined him & marched on to Guilford to wait for Cornwall. The night before the battle of Guilford Cornwallis said at a place called New Garden meeting house & a detachment under the command of Lee & Washington & some riflemen commanded by a Colonel Cleveland went out
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there & gave the British a small  skirmish before breakfast. Cornwallis arrived at Guilford Court house between twelve & one o'clock on the 15th March 1781. Just before the battle commenced Colonel Lee rode up to the lines where deponent stood & used some thing like these words my brave boy your land, your lives & your country depend on your conduct this day-- I have given Tarlton hill this morning & I will give him more of it before requt" & speak
ing of the roaring of the British canon he said you hear damnation roaring over all the woods & after all they are no more than we & he went on to plank the lift of the American army this deponents place in that battle was on the left of the articles of not far from it - the 33 & 71 British regiments are the 4th Regiment of Militia to which deponent the belonged - their object seemed to be to take the artillery the battle was commenced by the militia & two lines of them fought before the require sup Deponent believes that this town of Duncan
service exceeded three months in duratin but
for the purpose of being entirely safe in his statement he is willing to place it at three months which together with the three months tour heretofore do scribed make six months service performed by this deponent in the Revolutionary War. He got no discharge from this last service - his cup tain was mortally wounded at the battle just mentioned & died in about a week both before after the service above mentioned deponent was engaged in several scouting expedition but he cannot recollect any time with certainly & does not
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as R as compensation for any more than the six months to which he has particularly alluded. Deponent does not know of any man living by whom he can esta his services. He had a brother two years sideran himself who was said to be alive four years ago & who would be a good witness but deponent knows not here to find him. This deponent hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity ex the present & declares that his name is not the pension roll of any state in the Union. Sworn to & subscribed Wesley the day
& year aforesaid William H Smith Cill We Benjamin Blanter a clergyman residing in
the County of Oglethorpe & John Moore of the same place hereby certify that we are well acquain ted with William Lesley who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we belive him to be of the age therein mentioned that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur
in that opinion Sworn & subscribed Benj
Blanton M P the day & year aforesaid John Moore William Smith And the said Court do hereby declare their opin in after the investigation of the matter & after putting
the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
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soldier & served as he states. And the Court further contifies that it appears to them that Benjamin Blanton who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergy man resident in Oglethorpe County & that John Moore who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
                                                          Coal
                                                 John Banks J.C
                                                    Bur Pope J.


William H Smith Clerk of the Court of Ordin
& following supplementary statement sworn to at the same timeary do hereby certify that the foregoing contain the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Lesley for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this third day of September Eighteen hundred & thirty two
William S Smith C


         Supplementary statement
And at the same term of the Court came
William Lester on oath says that on reflection he had remembered the following officers who were with him & whose names he failed to recollect when he furnished the above statement, to wit Major John Donald Adjutant Robert Ralston, who was sick & left the army + his place was supplied by John Harvey
1

Captain Wilson, Sparks & Pierce Lieutenant Gilmer, William Rankin foraging master who was taken prisoner by the British near Newly six & Chaplain Hall a Presbyterian Clergyman Sworn to the day year aforesaid in open court.
                                            William Smith Clk

Wesley
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                                             September 7, 1934
                                        XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
                                               
                                           William Lesley
                                             S. 31821
                                            BA-J/MLB

                                   
Miss Jessie M. Snyder
1508 Wynnton Drive
Columbus, Georgia

Dear Madam:

request the record of William Leslie, of Georgia, and in which you
repeat your request for the record of a soldier with surname
Atkinson, whose widow, Martha, of Greene County, drew a lot in
Lee County, in 1827.
WILLIAM LESLEY
S. 31821
BA-J/MLB
Reference is made to your letter of August 29, in which you
On September 4, you were requested to furnish more information
in regard to the soldier surnamed Atkinson in whom you were
interested, in order that his record might be identified, if on
file.
A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and
a record found of one William Lesley who applied for pension while
a resident of the State of Georgia, the only one of the name from
that state and it is given herein as shown in pension claim,
S. 31821, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
William Lesley, as the soldier signed, was born November 25,
1762, in Guilford County, North Carolina; the names of his parents
are not stated. Reference was made to soldier's stepfather but
his name was not given.
While residing in Guilford County, North Carolina, he enlisted
in August, 1780, served three months as private in Captain Forbes'
company, Colonel Paisley's North Carolina regiment. A few days
after his discharge, he volunteered and served another tour of
three months under the same officers, during which period he guarded
some prisoners taken at the battle of Cowpens, to a place fifteen
miles below Guilford Court House, was in a battle at the Cross Roads
about a mile from Shallow Ford, was also in the battle of Guilford.
He served also on several scouting expeditions, details of which
were not given.
Pension was allowed on soldier's application executed September
3, 1832, while residing in Oglethorpe County, Georgia.
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William Lesley died  December 23, 1832.
No reference was made in the claim to wife or children. 
William Lesley had a bother two years older than he was living in 1828, his name and place of residence not given.

Very truly yours

A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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1508 Wynnton Drive 
Columbus, Ga. Aug 29/34


To The Director 
Pension Dept Washington D.C. 

My dear Sir:-
  Will you kindly and the record of Wm. Leslie and any other details 11 that you may have of him? 

would also appreciate the record of an Atkinson 11 1 hope widow Martha Atkinson of Green Co. Drew a lot in Lee Co. in 1827 

This Thanking you in advance for the courtesy of a reply dam by 

duly yours, Miss Jessie M. Sunder
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February 26, 1935 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 
WILLIAM LESLEY S.
31821 BA-J/MLB

Mrs. Stonewall Jackson 
1718 Third Avenue 
Columbus, Georgia 



Dear Madam:
 Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of a soldier with surname " Leslie, whose record was furnished Miss Jessie M. Snyder in the fall of 1934, also, record of any other soldier with that surname. 

The record of William Lesley is given herein as found in pension claim, S. 31821, based upon his service in the Revolution ary War. This record was furnished Miss Snyder September 7, 1934, 

 William Lesley, as the soldier signed was born November 25, 1762, in Guilford County, North Carolina; the names of his parents are not stated. Reference was made to soldier's stepfather but his name was not given. 

While residing in Guilford County, North Carolina, he enlisted in August, 1780, served three months as private in Captain Forbes' company, Colonel Paisley's North Carolina regiment. A few days after his discharge, he volunteered and served another tour of three months under the same officers, during which period he guarded some prisoners taken at the battle of Cowpens, to a place fifteen miles below Guilford Court House, was in a battle at the Cross Roads about a mile from Shallow Ford, was also in the battle of Guilford. He served also on several scouting expeditions, details of which were not given. 

Pension was allowed on soldier's application executed September 3, 1832, 

while residing in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. at which will he was He died December 23, 1832. 
No reference was made in the claim to wife or children. 

William Lesley had a brother two years older than he who was living in 1828, his name and place of residence not given. 

In order to identify another Leslie record, the full name of the soldier is essential and other data, such as approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow. 

Very truly yours 

A.D. HILLER 

Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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[printed form, blanks filled by hand]

31821
Revy INVALID.

File No. 31,891

William Lesley
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7" 32"
Index: -- Vol. 2, , Page 241
[ Arrangement of 1870. ]

1812 June 15. Hist. to Mrs. John Lee
Davidson letter in S.F. 16,419
Isaac Horton ¢
1914. Aug 31. History to Mrs
A. L. Porter M.B.H.
1934. Sept. 7. Hist to Miss Jessie
M. Snyder - MLB
1935 Feb 26 - Hist to Mrs. Stonewall
Jackson - MLB
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to your request received DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. SERVICE. 
- Battles engaged in, for a statement of the military history of a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 

LENGTH OF RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. Residence of soldier at enlistment, 
Dat of application for pension, Res.idence at date of application, Age at date of application, Remarks: he died Dec 6 -- 2856 Very respectfully, COLONEL. Billy STATE. Comm
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Sylacanga Ala 
Aug 2-1914 
The Commissioner of Pensions Washing this DC  
My Dear Sir: 
Will you please send me on abstract or copy of the application paper made Was and New 
William Graves from Virginia who had Burke County Ga., 1820 aged 69 years
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121
William Lesley who --- --- right in North Carolina and hereof in ye thorpe Co a in 1831 aged 69 Have on any record of Andrew Thomson --- who I think he would have served in Rev. War pen but he afterwards lived in Ogle hope Co. Ga. 
Thanking you very sincerely Ving In an early reply & I am or dially 
Mrs. A. L. Pooler Sylacong a Ald,
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W. P. SAYERS, President		S. W. JACKSON, Sec. and Treas.
MORTON MACHINE WORKS
Manufacturers of
Dyeing and Bleaching Machines
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

	January 17, 1935
Mr. A. D. Hiller,
Veterans Administration
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:
	I am writing to ask you if you will be so 
kind as to furnish me with a copy of letter written 
to Miss Jessie Snyder of Columbus Ga. concerning i [sic]
information as to service rendered by one of the 
family of " Leslie".
	This letter was written the latter part 
of summer 1934, or early fall. I am very anxious to 
secure this information. Also if there is any other 
information that you have in your files with regard 
to pensions drawn by any of the Leslie family for 
revolutionary service, I will greatly appreciate this 
information.
	Very truly yours,
	[signature] Mrs. Stonewall Jackson
	Mrs. Stonewall Jackson
	1718- Third Avenue
	Columbus Ga.

J

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JAN 28 1935
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