Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31185, for Thomas Kennedy, North Carolina

SERVICE
Nb.
Kennedy, Thomas
NUMBER
S. 31185
CONTENTS

427
Kentucky
Thomas Kennedy
of Garrard Co. in the State of Kentucky who was a Capt in the  commanded to Captain +  +  + of the Regt commanded by Col Bateman in the A.C. State line for one year & nine months
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 420 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of Sept r 1832 and sent to Hon R G Fletcher
Arrears to 4th of March 1832 420 Pension allowance ending 4 Sept 1832. 210 $630
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Geo. Wm Crump. Clerk, Book D. Vol. 9 Page 46
See letter to Hon S. Williams H R Jan. 30. 1836 — do to Hon J. F. Bell June 20. 1846
Died June 19, 1836 Agency brok.

(11)
State of Ky Garrard County Set
On the 28 th day of August 1832 Genl Thomas Kennedy aged near  about 70 Resident of the County of Garrard, personally appeared in open Court, it being a court of record, held in and for the county aforesaid, 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, in order to obtain the benefit of the 7 th June 1832.
That he entered the U. States Service in the war of the Revolution in the county of Burke in the state of North Carolina (he believes early in the year 1775, but he cannot undertake to state the time, with precision) as a volunteer, and was appointed a Captain of the mounted men, and was attached

C2.7 To Col Christopher Bateman Regiment.
That he served out the term of his engagement which was Three months - That Joseph White was his Chap. That immediately he again volunteered for the same period of time, served in the same Regiment, and in the same capacity, of Capt. under the same Officers, and was often engaged in skirmishes against the Forces in the state of North Carolina. That shortly after the expiration of his latter engagement, he again volunteered for Three months under Col Rutherford in the old state of N. Carolina, and marched immediately against Wilmington then in the possession of the British, that he was then a Capt. of Dragoons, and was the first Officer who entered the Town, which being abandoned by the enemy Col Rutherford, in a few days thereafter, came up

and took possession of it. (2) That he & his company were regularly discharged at Wilmington, after faith- fully serving out the term of their engagement, and upon their return home, he and most of his men were taken prisoners by Col. Fannan and Col. Elrod of the Col Elrod was a Tory Col British Army. That he was robbed of what little money he had, and his watch, and his commission of Captain- cy, and then paroled. That in the spring follow- ing, the year he does not remember, he was exchanged, and again engaged in the service as a Capt. of mounted men, under Genl. Charles McDowell in the state of North Carolina, and for six months, and served out the full period of his engagement. That he marched thro' the state of N.C. and S.C. and also in a part of Georgia, and had various engagements with the British & Tories.
He was in the battle at Ramsour's Mills in N. Carolina, and was a Capt. of a company & had 17 men killed wounded and,

was wounded himself in 41 the Leg by a Rifle Ball Our party was commanded by Major Ruther- ford son of Genl Rutherford, and the British and Tories were commanded by Col. Johnson & Moore. our party

our party
party were victorians, after sustaining a heavy loss. Then After the expiration of this period of service, and he again volunteered and was again a Capt. under the same  at attached to the same Brigade, and commanded by Genl McDowell, entered for six months and served out the time faithfully. He does not pretend to recollect dates with accuracy, tho he can establish most of his services by living witnesses. He can say however from the first day of his entering into service, until long after the battle at Kings Mountain, he was very constantly engaged in serving his country. He was in the battle at Kings Mountain, and commanded as a Capt. and was attached to the division under Col Campbell during the battle. He was also in the battle at head of Hane Creek in N. Carolina against the British & Tories commanded by Col Dunlap "Capt. of the Queen Rangers (so called) and commanded being the oldest officer left in command, he commanded the division on that day, and was successful in the action. His last engagement took place before the battle at Kings Mountain, and during the period of his last six months service before spoken of, under Genl Charles McDowell. He was also in the engagement at Hampton in South Carolina, under

Feb 6. McDowell, and commanded as a captain where we were again victorians. He believes this was in his last six months engagement.
He hereby relinquishes all claims whatever to a provision or annuity except the present and declares his name is not on the pen- sion roll of the Army any state or of the U. States.
Thos. Kennedy
I Robert Branch of the county of Garrard state of Ky, do hereby certify that I was have been acquainted with General Thomas Kennedy since he was a boy, that we went to school together, was raised together, in the county of Bourke in St. Carolina, served together most in the Revolutionary War, have lived near him since we left North Carolina, in the state of Ky near fifty years, have rehearsed the incidents of the war of the Revolution over hundreds of times. That he has a personal knowledge of his the applicants serving as a captain in every instance which he has mention- ed the one in which he states to have served when he went to Wilmington N. C. but he always understood and never heard it contradicted by any one that the appli-

did serve in that instance as a capt.
He will further add that the applicant was a valuable persevering patriotic man of great energy and a brave soldier, and rendered distinguishing service to the cause of his country in the Revolutionary struggle.
Robt. Brant
Genl. Brant Letcher made oath in open Court that he has known the applicant for upward  about forty years. That his services as an officer and as a soldier have uniformly been spoken of in high terms of commendation by every one, that he has had converse upon the subject since his acquaintance with him - That he has often heard Gov. Shelby state that the applicant was a capt. at the battle of Kings Mountain and distinguished himself in the action. He always heard the same from common reputation. He has also known Robt. the witness Brant the witness for near about the same period, and he can certify that he is a man of unimpeachable character of high standing, for integrity and truth - No one more so in the state -
Brant Letcher

And the said court do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Root Branch the witness, and Ely Kennedy the applicant, and have been for many years, that after putting the interrogatories directed by the War Department, and from general reputation, combined with the proof, we have no doubt, the applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. The court further certifies both of the witnesses are credible persons, and their statement is entitled to the fullest confidence.
I James H. Fletcher Clerk of the County Court now for Garrard County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Kennedy for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & seal of office this 20 th day of August one Thousand Eight hundred and thirty four James H. Fletcher Clerk
Given Thomas Kennedy State in kind August County Court 1834 Witn to the in open Court as per J. H. Fletcher Clerk

February 1, 1937.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Anne Burnside Brown Lancaster Kentucky
BA-J/ady Thomas Kennedy S. 31185 aw
Dear Madam:
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.31185, based upon the military service of Thomas Kennedy in that war.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Thomas Kennedy are not shown. He was reared in Burke County, North Carolina.
Thomas Kennedy entered the service in Burke County, North Carolina, in 1775, was appointed Captain of Dragoons and served in that capacity as follows: two tours of three months each, in Colonel Christopher Bateman's Regiment; three months under General Rutherford and was at the taking of Wilmington; after his return home he was captured by Colonels Fanning and Elrod of the British army, was paroled and exchanged the next spring, he then served six months under General Charles McDowell; he served under Major Rutherford at the battle of Ramsour's Mill where he received a gunshot wound in the leg; he then served six months under General McDowell and was in the battles of Cane Creek and King's Mountain; he also served another tour of six months under the same general and was in battle at Hampton, South Carolina.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 20, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Garrard County, Kentucky, and aged about seventy-six years.
He died June 19, 1836, place not stated.
There are no family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

February 1, 1937.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/ady
Mrs. Anne B. Brown Lancaster Kentucky
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon military service of soldiers in that war.
A careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of Andrew, Joseph, John or James Kennedy as described by you, or Peter Kennedy, all spellings of the names searched.
The records of Thomas Kennedy and David Kennedy are furnished you herewith, on separate pages, as found in the pension claims based upon service in the Revolutionary War.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Not on roll of 4
A.6
No bore
Wants leg Friday —

We desire to examine the papers in the case of General Capt. Thomas Kennedy, who served in Rev. war, he was in battle at Kings mountain, served in North Carolina. he drew $400 pension per annum, under act of 4 March 1831,
31 Dec. 1838
Edwards H Smith
The papers in the above case cannot be furnished unless we know in what County & State the pensioner resided when pensioned.

Thos. Kennedy Capt - Pensioner Act 1892 — State Kentucky
No on record in Co. H 10th Ky as Pensioner To see Papers
L. B. True
See No 4 Rolls Pensioned p 94

March 26, 1925.
Mrs. H. J. Broaddus, Terrill, KY.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.31185, it appears that Thomas Kennedy entered the service in Burke County, North Carolina, where he had been raised, in 1775, was appointed Captain of Dragoons and served in that capacity as follows:
Two tours of three months each, in Colonel Christopher Bateman's Regiment; three months under General Rutherford and was at the taking of Wilmington; after his return home he was captured by Colonels Wannang and Elrod, was paroled and exchanged the next spring, when he engaged for six months service under General Charles McDowell; he was under Major Rutherford at the battle of Ramsour's Mill where he received a gunshot wound of the leg; he then served six months under General McDowell and was in the battles of Cane Creek and King's Mountain; and also another tour of six months under the same general and was in battle at

Hampton, South Carolina.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 20, 1832, while living in Garrard County, Kentucky, aged about seventy-six years. He died June 19, 1836. The date and place of his birth are not on record and there is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

aw
Sept. 11, 1922.
Robert H. Miller, Box 326, Harriman, Tenn.
Sir:
In response to your letter of the 24 th July, you are advised that from the papers in the pension claim, S. 31185, that Thomas Kennedy was allowed pension on his application executed Aug. 20, 1832, while living in Garrard Co. Ky. aged about 78 years. He stated that he entered the service in Burke Co. N. C. where he had been raised, in 1775, was appointed Captain of Dragoons and served in that capacity as follows:
Two tours of three months each, in Col. Christopher Bateman's Regiment; three months under Gen. Rutherford, and was at the taking of Wilmington; after his return home he was captured by Colonels Fanning and Elrod, was paroled and exchanged the next spring, when he engaged for six months service under Gen. Charles McDowell; he was under Major Rutherford at the battle of Ramsour's Mill where he received a gunshot wound of the leg; he then served six months under Gen. McDowell and was in battles of Cane Creek and Kings Mountain; and also another tour of six months under the same general and was in battle at Hampton, S. C.

ion.
He died June 19, 1836, the date and place of his birth are not on record and there is no data on file as to his family.
Very respectfully,
Washington
Commissioner.

Rev. War Section.
March 2, 1918.
Mrs. Robert H. Bradley, Jr.,
1631 Broadway,
Indianapolis, Indiana.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the twentieth ultimo, you are advised that the papers in the claim of Thomas Kennedy Survivor's File No. 31,185 Rev. War, show that he was allowed pension on his application executed August 20, 1832, while a resident of Garrard County, Kentucky, and nearly seventy-six years of age. He stated that he entered the service in Burke County, North Carolina, in 1775, as a volunteer, was appointed Captain of Dragoons and served in that capacity as follows.
Two terms of three months each, in Colonel Christopher Bateman's regiment, during which he engaged in skirmishes with the Tories: three months under General Rutherford in which he was at the taking of Wilmington where he was discharged. Upon their return home, he and most of his men were captured by Colonels Fanning and Elrod, robbed, then paroled, and finally exchanged the Spring following --year not recollected-- when he engaged for six months under General Charles McDowell, and was under Major Rutherford in the battle of Ramsour's Mill, in which seventeen of his men were killed and wounded, and he sustained gun shot wound of leg.
He again volunteered for six months under General McDowell, was in battle at the head of Cane Creek and at Kings Mountain where he was attached to Colonel Campbell's division; and he also served six months more under General Charles McDowell during which he was in an engagement at Hampton, South Carolina.
Additional alleged service data except the year of his enlistment, and there is no family data in the papers on file in the claim.
Soldier died June 19, 1836; the date and place of his birth are not shown, but it is stated that he was raised in Burke County, North Carolina.
The above, is the only Thomas Kennedy of Burke County, N. C. found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Very respectfully,
[Signature] Commissioner.

see Miscel File Bontwell Dunlap Oct. 6, 1916.
September 7, 1916
Mr. S. J. Dunlap, East Auburn, California.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated the twenty-third ultimo, you are advised that James Ray, S. File No. 31,314, Rev. War, was allowed pension on account of his services in the Virginia Troops, as Private under Colonel Bowman, Lieutenant under Captain Gatliff, and Captain under Colonel Logan.
In 1832, he was seventy-one years of age and a resident of Mercer County, Kentucky.
He died May 9, 1835, leaving the following children: William, Jesse, Polly Duncan, John, Catherine Keller, Jane Wilson, Patsey Alfred, Jefferson, Harvey, Lucinda Frost.
S. File No. 10,492, Rev. War, Anthony Crockett was allowed pension for his services in the Virginia Troops, under Captain Thomas Posey, Colonels Alexander McLanahan and Morgan, as Lieutenant under Captain Jesse Evans, in the Illinois Regt.

He went against the Indians under Captain Ray and Colonel George R. Clarke.
Soldier was born in Prince George County, Virginia; was a resident of Botetourt County, Virginia, in 1776; and in 1832, was a resident of Franklin County, Kentucky, aged seventy-six years.
He died December 6, 1838, leaving no widow.
S. File No. 31,185, Rev. War, Thomas Kennedy was allowed pension for services as Captain of Dragoons under Colonel Christopher Bateman and Colonel Campbell, North Carolina Troops. He received a gunshot wound of the leg in the battle of Ramsours Mill.
In 1832, he was a resident of Garrard County, Kentucky, aged seventy-six years.
From the data given, no claim has been identified for John Clark, the subject of your inquiry.
Very respectfully,
E. C. Tiernan
Acting Commissioner.

Lancaster, Kentucky. January 15-1937.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Have you any record of a Thomas, David, Andrew, Joseph, John, James and Peter Kennedy, who were Revolutionary soldiers from North Carolina and settled in Garrard county, Kentucky? I know Thomas, David, Andrew and Joseph were brothers, and I believe John, James and Peter were also their brothers. I am compiling a history of that family. Thomas Kennedy owned seven thousand acres. I understand that it was bought with Continental money. It was at his home where the opening chapters of the book-"Uncle Tom's Cabin" were taken.
This family of Kennedys may have come from Virginia but I believe they came from N.C. There was a Thomas Kennedy who came from Va. and settled in Bourbon county, Kentucky. He is not my Thomas.
I thought while looking for Kennedys it would be just as easy to look up all of these at the same time. If you cannot take but two at a time, please give me David and Andrew's record. I know Andrew was with George Rogers Clark in his Northern campaign, but I do not have the record.
Trusting that I may have a reply as quickly as possible, that I may continue my work and thanking you for past favors.
Most sincerely yours,
Gene Burnside Brown (Mrs)

Lorrill, Ky. Feb. 1925-
Pension Department
I'm a descendant of Thomas Kennedy, generally known in Garrard county Kentucky as Gen. Thomas Kennedy. I'm in quest of all the information you will kindly give me about the said Thomas Kennedy. His will bears date 1835. He bequeathed thousands of acres of land to four children namely, Thomas, John, Nancy and Elizabeth. The land layed in Madison, Garrard and Pulaski counties Kentucky. Also willed more than five hundred acres in Clinton county Ohio. Some of his brothers were, Joseph Kennedy, David, Andrew, John. A sister, Margaret Kennedy, married Thomas Faulkner. There may have been other brothers and sisters.
Thomas Kennedy a member of the first Convention of the 1792 which formed the first Constitution of Kentucky. Held in Danville. (From Collins History of Kentucky Vol. II page 355-)
Member of the Legislature of Virginia in 1788 and 1791. The County afterwards became Madison county Kentucky.
The said Thomas Kennedy, was one of the Senators elected by the Electors in 1792 (Collins History of Kentucky).
A member of first Company chartered to improve navigation of any river in State of Kentucky named, "The Kentucky River Company" Dec. 19-1801 with $10,000 capital Vol. I Collins History of Ky.
Please advise his father's name & full name which part of

country did he come to Kuhluckuffus? Please give his war records.
Thanking you in advance, I am
Sincerely Mrs. B. J. Broadus
Later, I find the said Thomas Kennedy Represented Farrand County Ky., 1799, 1800, '01, '02, '05, '07, '18, '24 =
His wife Miss Withers. Then one Mrs. Elizabeth Miller Kavanaugh, married Thomas Kennedy. Both wives died before he died.
Collins History refers to Thomas Kennedy of Madison Co. Ky. on page 181, 245, 248, 493, 511, 514, 522, 776.
Mrs. B. J. B.

Rev. 1-18 Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Revolutionary War Section:
Dear Sir:- Please send me the data the files of your office contain regarding Thomas Kennedy, born 1756, died in Garrard County Ky., who was a Revolutionary War pensioner.
Thanking you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter, I am,
Yours truly, Robert H. Miller
Robert H. Miller,
Box 226,
Harriman, Tenn.
July 24, 1922.

1621 9th - S.W.

#1631 Broadway,
Indianapolis, Ind..
Heb. 20 th 1918.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington W.C.
Rev Sec 1836
My dear Sirs - Since writing you this A.M. I find that Capt. Thomas Kennedy was born in 1756 & settled when young in Burke Co. N. Carolina Died in Garrard Co. June 19, # 1836.
This is from "Kings Dist. & its Heroes." by Lyman C. Alapai.
This from same - 149 Mrs. pension Statements of Gen. Thomas Kennedy Are these two, one & the same -
Please give me all that you can about each man if they are not the same -
Most sincerely,
Mrs. Robert H. Bradley Jr.
Should the former residence be given -

#1631 Broadway, Indianapolis, Ind., Feb'y, 20 th 1918
Pension Dept. Washington, D.C.,
Dear Sirs—
Did Capt. Thomas Kennedy, Born in Burke Co. N. Carolina in 1756 , receive a pension; & what if any information can you give me of him— I get the above from, Draper's Heroes of Kings Mh.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. Robert H. Bradley, Jr.,

SIXTIETH CONGRESS.
NEHEMIAH D. SPERRY, Conn., Chairman. Amos L. Allen, Me.            Ezekiel S. Candler, Jr., Miss. Andrew J. Barchfeld, Pa.    John G. McHenry, Pa. J. Eugene Harding, Ohio.    Adolph J. Sabath, Ill. Gustavus Küstermann, Wis.   William B. Craig, Ala. Charles N. Pray, Mont. J. Van Vechten Olcott, N. Y.
Percy G. Wallmo, Clerk.
Dict. to Porter. Number/ 88,508. Sub/ Inf/ ne.
House of Representatives U. S.,
Committee on Alcoholic Liquor Traffic,
Washington, D. C.,
April 11th, 1909
Comm'r. of Pensions, City,
Dear Sir:-
Please give me the benefit of all the information contained in the records of your office with reference to the services etc., of one Capt. Thos. Kennedy, Garrard Co. Ky., of the North Carolina Line, Revolutionary War, who was placed on the pension roll of 1833. Thanking you in advance, I have the honor to be,
Respectfully yours,
E. S. Candler Jr. M.C. First Dist. Miss.

31 185 Rev INVALID.
File No. 31,185
Thomas Kennedy Capt Rev War
Act: June 1 st 1864
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 219
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1909 Apl. 13. Hist. to Hon. E. S. Candler Jr. p 1916, Sept. 7. Hist. (carbon) to S. J. Dunlap. Letter with cl. S. F. 31,314 James Ray. 1918 Mch. 2. Hist. to Mrs. Robert H. Bradley Jr. p. 1922 Sept. 11. Hist. to R. H. Miller Jr. 1925, Mch. 27. Hist. to Mrs. B. J. Broadus. 1937. Feb. 1. Hist. to Mrs. Ro Anne Burnside Brown. y

Mr. Bates appeared 

Rutherford,
Giles County -
Humphrey Waters this day made oath before the subscribers a justice of the peace for the County of said that he was well acquainted with Genl. Thomas Rutherford born of Giles County, Tenn. that he knew him between the years 1776 & 1782 in Burke County (North Carolina) - that in the year 1780 said Rutherford com- manded a company of Militia at the Battle of Kings Mountain - said Rutherford also as Capt. com- mand a company of Militia as Capt. at the Battle at Ramsour's Mill & was wounded in said Battle. In the year 1781 said Rutherford commanded as Capt. a company of Horn in the Militia & marched down under the command of Genl. Rutherford to attack the British at Guilford in North Carolina - this officer was in Fannin Detachment - said Rutherford was out at least 3 months in the year 1781 Guilford

Said Kennedy was as in the year 1780 out as Capt. of Militia in and at least nine months - Said Kennedy was also out in the Militia in all the calls before 1780 - He was considered a brave & patriotic Soldier always ready to go when called on the slightest notice - his The foregoing affidavit Respectfully Bates Subscribed & sworn to before me a Justice from for County upon this 19. June 1832. J. B. Bates
Hugh Williams
State of Kentucky Garrard County
James H Fletcher Clerk of the County Court in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that H. W. McKee whose signature appears to the foregoing Certificate and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the peace for Garrard County duly commissioned and qualified as such - and due faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as such. Given under my hand as Clerk aforesaid this 24 th day of August. One thousand eight hundred & thirty two James H Fletcher Clerk