The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-20
a REVOLUTIONARY PENsIoNEE.
THE Death of Mrs. Sarah J. Neal, OF Oar
Hnston-At IS she Married
Veteran Of 8o-Her Hus-
bands Adventures.
rSpecial to News and Courier.

DARLINGTON, S. c., September s.
On Tuesday, September 4, Mrs. Sarah
J. Neal, aged 81 years, died in Darling
ton County. She was the widow OF a
soldier of the Revolutionary army.
Mrs. Sarah Neal was born in Samp-
son County, North Carolina. Her
maiden name was Sarah Milter, and
her father, John Milter, served in the
war of 1912. in defense of Charleston.
At the age Of II years Sarah Miller
moved into South Carolina and settled
in Darlington County, where, at the age
of 80 years, she married James Neal,
then about 50 years Of age. The mar
riage took place in the store house be-
longing to Moses Landers in the town
of Darlington. This was in March,
about the year 1926 or 1926. She lived
with her husband sbout nine years,
when he died, April 81, 1885. He was
buried six miles below Darlington. All
papers referring to his services were lost
by the burning of a house on High Hill
Greek, in the county, several years ago.
In spite of her great age Mrs. Neal
had lively recollection of what her
husband had told Of some Of the scenes
through which he had passed during
his army life. She remembered that he
spoke CT having seen Gen. Washington.
James Neal was born in Virginia and
probably served there before be came to
South Carolina. Here he served under
Col. Huger and another officer named
Wallace, whose rank Mrs. Neal could
not remember. He also served with
Gen. Marion under Capt. Gavin With
erspoon. He was taken prisoner three
times. At one time eleven Of the
patriots were captured and their escort
camped on the bank of the river.
During the night the British officers
had 3 supper and together with the
guard they drank too much. The
prisoners, taking advantage of this,
: Jumped into the river and made their
escape. When they reached the bank
they did not know whether they were
on the side of their friends or their
enemies. Col. Huger, their own officer,
saw them and called TO them to halt,
but they ran away. Huger followed
calling "Huger! Huger" until they
recognized his voice.
James Neal was afterwards q prisoner
in Charleston. While there he so won
over one of his captors that he ex-
changed clothes with the prisoner,
and so assisted him to escape. At one
time he was with party which had
been drawn into an ambush by the
notorious Col. Tarleton, but by the
skill and address of Col. Huger, their
commander, they were rescued. Neal
was once slightly wounded in the left
leg by bayonet. His commander,
John Culp, was also wounded at the
same time. This took place during an
attack upon some position held by the
British. They were both wounded just
as they got into the works. These men
lived long after the war, and died in
1885, Neal on Sunday and Culp the
following "Wednesday. Neal was 80
yeafs5of age when he died. Mrs. Neal
remembered that her husband spoke OF
having taken part in the battles Of Fort
Moultrie, Eutaw Springs, Cowpens,
Pine Grove.
James Neal drew pension Of IS per
month from the United States Govern
ment. After his death she did not
receive anything from the Government
for nine years, but through the kind
ness of Moses Higgins pension Of SS
was given to ner. During the war be-
tween the States she got nothing, but
afterwards B. F. Whittemore, then
United States Senator from South
Carolina, secured what was due to her
for those four years. For this act of
kindness she seemed very grateful to
him. In the year 1887 the amount OF
her pension was raised to $l2 per
month, and this she got until the day
of her death.
Mrs. Neal was q woman Of medium
size, and in her youth must have been
pretty. Her eyes were blue and her
hair of dark brown. While speaking
of the past her face would light up with
intelligence and the mind seemed to
grow clearer as she told Of things that
her husband lad said.