Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2314, Samuel Hillis, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. b.
Hillis, Samuel
S. 2314.
CONTENTS
carded

30.9201  West Tennessee  Samuel C. Hillis of Maury Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Company comma- by Captain Wilson of the 49 th comma- by Col. [?] in the [?] for Six months.
Enrolled on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars -- Cents per Ann to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Dec - 1836 and sent to Hon J. K. Polk, H. R.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept '36 $ 110. - Semi-annual allowance ending Dec 1837 10. -
$ 120. -
{ Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by J. M. Allison Clerk Book E. 2 Vol. 7 Page 92

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th June, 1832.
State of Tennessee, Maury County ss. County Court of said County. On this day personally appeared in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six personally appeared before Elias Currie Frenson, Alexander Johnson and Andrew Scott
Justices of the court of  Maury County Court of said County in open court Samuel Hillis a resident of Marshall County, which said Marshall County is a new county in which the courts are not yet legally organized - and said Samuel Hillis resides in that part of Marshall which was taken from our said county of Maury in the State of Tennessee, aged seventy five six years, who being first duly sworn accor- ding to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service in the United States Army in the year 1796 and served as herein after stated, under the officers & for the times herein after stated (to wit) -

Declarant was born on the 19 th day of February 17 1760 in the County of Rowan in the State of North Carolina, at which place Declarant lived until after the close of the War of the American Revolution and until about the year 1786, when declarant moved to Kentucky and settled in a part known as Fayette County. Declarant lived about four years in said Fayette County & then moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky where he lived until the year 1810 when he moved to the State of Tennessee and the settled where he now lives in the Maury County now Marshall as aforesaid where declarant has lived since 1810. He has now no record of his age. Declarant had his age put down in a bible when declarant was a boy going to school, by his schoolmaster, agreeable to that the declaration and memory of his father and mother (then living). but declarant has long been blind - & after he became blind he gave his bible to a nephew - but declarant will recollects what age his parents told him & the time they said he was born which is as declarant has told above stated -
Declarant was living in Rowan County State of North Carolina, when he entered

the service of the United States, that Declarant first volunteered on the 16 th of July, 1776, in said Rowan County under General Rutherford, (Griffy Rutherford he believes) his captain's name was William Wilson, Colonel Francis Locke was first Colonel and Mearns Dobbins was Lieut. Colonel, John Lodd was a lieutenant under Capt. Wilson and John Wales was ensign, James Brannon and James Smith were majors - Declarant joined the army under Major Smith in the town of Salisbury in said Rowan County on the said 16 th day of July 1776 - General Rutherford had gone up towards the head of the Catawba River & had left the majors to raise men & come on after him - in the mean time taking with him Rutherford & Locke all the men that they could then command collect & leaving the majors to raise men if possible - Major Smith & Brannon raised several companies - he neglects Captain Johnson Captain Lyons & Capt. Wilson and one Capt George Henry Barringer - & a Capt Smith - all these captains had companies & went under Major Smith until they got to where Genl. Rutherford was - Declarant marched with the troops under the majors aforesaid on the same day he joined (16 th July 1776) - to a place near the head of the Catawba River called Pleasant Garden about 120 miles from Salisbury (as

(as declarant can recollect) at which place, he found General Rutherford encamped, just at the upper end of a rich tract of land called the pleasant Gardens - on Buck Creek - a branch of the Catawba -
1 Lieutants Captain - Captain Wilson was sent on in advance of the other troops under Major Smith & Brandon with his company (Declarant with others) to guard the two waggons that were despatched with provisions to Genl. Rutherford, as express having arrived from Rutherford stating that Rutherford and his men were starving & Wilson & his company arrived at Rutherfords Camp about a day before the rest came up - And Major Smith & Brandon were soon what detained waiting for the different companies that joined them on their march - As Declarant in Wilsons company marched on to Rutherfords company Camp - he saw four children murdered and lying by the road (the children of a Mr. Birchfield) murdered by Cherokee Indians - another girl of the same Birchfield family was shot through the groin but & left for dead but recovered - Several other bodies of murdered men were found before they arrived at Rutherfords Camp - Declarant thinks it was four or five days after they started from Salisbury before they got to Rutherford (Fords

Camp - And that they remained at said Camp until some time in the evening month of August but a few days or a short time when Rutherford moved us in about two miles close to a fort upon the bank of the Catawba called Catherys fort - and shortly after this the men from Guilford county under Col. Martin arrived - Rutherford & Locke left the men encamped near said fort & went home to arrange their business before they started with the army over the mountains after the Indians - Rutherford and Locke were at a meeting house called Catherys meeting house when they first heard of the outrages committed by the Indians that caused this campaign - & they started from the meeting house with what men they could collect - to the relief of the people in the country where the Indians were murdering them - While Rutherford & Locke were gone the provisions were coming in - one Robert King was commissary - Rutherford & Locke were gone but a few days - after the return of Rutherford & Locke the army waited but a few days until it marched for the Indian town - It was said that the army then amounted to 1700 men - & all well as declarant recollects there were as stated among the army 1700 horses packed with

provisions - The Army crossed the Blue ridge at the Gap at the head of the Catawba and went down Swannanoa nearly to its mouth & then crossed French Broad river & then across Pigeon River - and then across another mountain, in the gap of which the spies that went before the army were attacked by the Indians, and one Billy Alexander was shot, the ball went in about his shoe buckle and out at his heel - & made him lame ever afterwards, no other man was touched - The Indians were concealed near the turn of the ridge and in a few puffs were out of sight - so that none of them were killed -
The army crossed a little river named Turkey Creek before Billy Alexander was shot -
After Billy Alexander was shot the Army went on to the Tennessee river to the Cowee town. We found the town evacuated - The Indians had left the town the day before & some of their houses were burnt and others were then on fire - the stone houses were burnt & some of the other houses were had fire in them - We found some of the Indians had corn growing and some had and some in roasting ears. We cut down their corn & used what we wanted & threw the balance in the river - we burnt their town - The army lived upon the sweet potatoes of the Indians -

after the taking of the Cowee towns General Rutherford left the baggage under a guard took the balance of the army and followed the Indians went on to the towns called Valley towns or Highwassee towns - Rutherford came back with some prisoners a white man named Scott and one named Hicks - and some Indians - he understood that Ruther- ford burnt all the towns he came to - Declarant was at the taking of the & burning of 5 or six of the Cowee towns - The army then returned then to their home - crossed the main mountain where they crossed going out - The army was discharged about the place of called Pleasant gardens & declarant got home on the 16 th day of October 1776 - having been just three months under in service - Some time in 1779 about June - Captain Wilson called a muster & told us that four men were called for out of his company to go to keep the towns in subjection subjection up in Lincoln county & the captain told us if any four of us would volunteer it should stand free for a term of duty - accordingly Alexander McNair Robert McBride & Thomas Ferguson & Declarant volunteered - Declarant recollects

That on the 13 th  seventy hundred & seventy nine, June 1779 a great hail storm took place and on the next day he left home for the trip against the the Tories - recollects the road was covered with green leaves - they encamped at Shulls ford upon the Catawba River - under the command of Col. Locke - about 120 men, were at said ford - Declarant was under Captain Gilbert Falls, - who was afterwards killed they marched thence to Major Withers - some more men about Major Withers joined Locke's army - a Major Davidson a brother to the General of that name that was killed was also along with Locke - from Major Withers we marched up the Catawba up the south fork of the Catawba - sending out scouts through the Tory settlements endeavoring to scare them into subjection - - went near to the head of the south fork of Catawba & took a sweep round the country back to Major Withers - during this trip we took a William Ramsey a George Sealy and an Adam Overwinter a Scotchman & some others Tory prisoners - Ramsey made his escape & Capt. McKee Heardman McManamy & Robin Brazil & Declarant were sent in pursuit but returned

returned without being able to take him- Col. Locke after we had got back to Wilthorp's took a John O'Leary and went after Ramsey & took him but Ramsey again made his escape- Scaly & O'Leary caused some of our officers and we petitioned the officers and they permitted the soldiers to make them run the gauntlet, we all got switches and whipped them through - From Wilthorp's Locke sent a detachment up the main Catawba under a Capt. McMillin - of which declarant was one - in all about 15 men. We did nothing but threaten the Tories we came back to Shulls ford & again met Locke Locke then discharge- -ed us - & Declarant then went home- Declarant cannot precisely recollect how long we was in service this trip but believes he was in service from the 1st until some time in the early part of August ensuing - about one and a half months - Shortly after this trip - a call was made for some men to guard the jail in the town of Salisbury. said jail contained some very prisoners. The jail was very much crowded, & it was

feared that the Tories would break the jail - Captain Wilson told his men that if they would volunteer to guard the jail it should stand for a term of duty - Declarant & his brother Robert and three others volunteered & went to Salisbury - & went under the command of Captain George Lowman & guarded said jail for a period not less than seven weeks - the precise period he cannot recollect -
Declarant remained as a guard until the trial of the prisoners - some 10 of the prisoners were condemned the Governor reprieved seven & the other three were hung - Richardson Fisher & Armstrong were hung -
Declarant was discharged a few days before the hanging - the hanging took place on the fifth day of November 1779 - and that evening Declarant had a fight with one Ricky Maguire & got both of his eyes put put out. I has never seen the light of day since and has never seen since - & has never served since - the whole of the above time for which declarant served among months and some days -

Declarant always volunteered & was never a substitute - he never was under any of the regular officers - & saw none of them while he was in service - Declarant never received a written discharge and has no documentary testimony of his services - That Robert McCord a minister of the gospel & Samuel McClelland both residents of the same neighborhood with declarant, will testify as to my character as a veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution - Declarant knows of no one living by whom he can prove his services but David Dobbins who was along in the 3 months trip first spoken of - the two last trips he knows of no one by whom he can prove them - Declarant soon turn in 1833 as well as he recollects made out a declaration for to obtain the benefit of said act - & employed one Mr. Martin to send it on to the War department but after getting waiting 2 or 3 years he got Col. Polk to write on for him and make enquiry about the matter - & the enclosed

letter was received - declarant would have applied earlier but that he did not know but his first declaration had been received & rejected -
He hereby relinquishes every claim to whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state sworn to and subscribed his Samuel X Neill's mark the day and year aforesaid in open court -
Wm G. Brown Clerk.
We Robert McLeod a clergyman residing in Marshall (formerly Wayne) county Tennessee and Samuel McConnel residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Neill who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy six years old that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. sworn to & subscribed Robert McLeod the day and year aforesaid Samuel McConnel in open court - Wm G. Brown Clerk.

Revised
23/4
INVALID.
File No. 23/4
Samuel Willis
Priv Riv. War.
Act: June 7 1882.
Index:—Vol. 4. , Page 171.
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Dear Friend, Pittsburgh, Pa. August 20 1816.
In answer to your letter of the 8 th instant, respecting the case of Samuel Hollis, I have to inform you that his declaration, alluded to by you as having been sent to this office by William P. Martin Esq. does not appear to have been received here.
I have the honor to be Very respectfully Your O bt Servt. J. L. Edwards
Then James H. Pike. Columbia, Pennsylvania.

1 Samuel Hillis - Waterloo for a Pension - 1836. -
Land Office for six months, $20
Hon. J. L. Polk Sp: Ho. Reps.

David Dobbins a resident of Perry County and a credible man man makes oath that he was in the army under General Rutherford and as detailed in the foregoing declaration that he well recollects that this same Samuel Hillis was along in that campaign & served as he Thiorem states - that he has always believed said Hillis to be a credible man & has full faith & credit in what he says & subscribed the day David Dobbins sworn to & subscribed the day David Dobbins sworn to & subscribed the day David Dobbins The foregoing declaration was subscribed to & sworn to before me this 10th day of June 1888 Mr. E. E. Ewing clerk. And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a soldier of the revolution and served as he states, and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Robert McCord who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clumsy man resident in Marshall County formerly Perry County & that Samuel McConnel who has also signed the same is a resident of said Marshall County & a credible man

and that their statement is entitled to credit. & the court further certifies that David Dobbins who has signed the foregoing certificate is a resident of Maury County & a credible man & that his statement is entitled to credit.
Elias Gurnin Foreman
Alex: Johnson
Andrew Scott
Justices of said court.
I William E. Erwin Clerk of the County Court of Maury County in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel Hillis for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 9 th day of November in the year of our Lord 1836
Wm E Erwin Clerk of Maury County

Washington City
Decr 20 th 1836.
Sir
Enclosed is the Declaration of Samuel Hillis for a pension; and also the explanatory deposition of Isaac Rainey . It is proper to state that Mr Rainey  declared subsequently to the time of making the enclosed deposition, but to what precise period I am unable to state. In the case of Mr Samuel Hillis , the former Declaration - has prepared by him, from the institution - on negligence of the agent who prepared the papers for him, or from some other cause, has failed to reach your office, and he has been therefore compelled to make a new declaration. - I know him personally. He is a man of fair character, is in my indignation circumstances, & perfectly blind. - Should a pension be granted to him, send the certificate to me. - I am Very Respectfully
Yrs Affly Secy Saml J. Edwards Esq r Comm r of Pensions War Dept - Washington City.
Yrs Affly Secy Saml J. Edwards Saml J. Edwards J. Dile 2318 Barnum Hill NC

Washington City
Nov 20 th 1836.
Sir
Enclosed is the Declaration of Samuel Hillis for a pension; and also the explanatory deposition of Leah Rainey . It is proper to state that the Rainey did not submit to the time of making the enclosed deposition, but to what precise period I am unable to state. In the case of Samuel Hillis , the former Declaration prepared by him, from the institution or negligence of the agent who prepared the papers for him, or from some other cause, has failed to reach your office, and he has been therefore compelled to make a new declaration. I know him personally. He is a man of fair character, is in my indignation circumstances, & perfectly blind. Should a pension be granted to him, send the certificate to me.
Very Respectfully
Yrs Affec Son
Samuel Hillis
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm. of Pensions Nov 16 th Washington City
J. Dile 2318
Samuel Hillis 71C