Revolutionary War Soldiers

Bearden, Richard: From Minute Book, County Quarterly Court, 1828-1834, Lawrence County, Tenn., p. 466, Wednesday 9^th Jan. 1833. Richard Bearden appeared in court and presented his application for a Revolutionary War pension, which being sworn to was ordered to be certified.

Bentley, Jeremiah: From Minute Book Court of Pleas & Quarterly Session, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1818-1822, April 2, 1821. On this date Jeremiah Bentley gave his property schedule, as required from his original declaration for pension June 4, 1818. He stated on April 2, 1821 that he would be 61 years old on May 1, 1821. He had enlisted Aug. 28, 1777 in the State of Va. and served in the Co. of Capt. James Foster, 15^th Regt. in the line of State of Va. He was discharged in 1781. Also, information from Mrs. Jane Meredith Hobbs, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., a descendant of Jeremiah Bentley.

Brown, David E.: From Minute Book, Court of Pleas & Quarterly Session, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1822-1826,, p. 438. Oct. 6, 1823. He came into court and filed an affidavit pertaining to his pension for Revolutionary War service. On the 30^th Apr. 1826, he again came to court and made another affidavit relative to his pension application.

Gower, Matthew: From Minute Book, County Quarterly Court, Lawrence County, Tenn. 1847-1851, p. 265, July 1, 1850. On this day, his declaration was made in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 for the benefit of Revolutionary soldiers. This was signed by Thos. Spencer and others. (Note: It is likely that Matthew Gower was buried in the old abandoned cemetery, known as the Gower Cemetery, on Granddaddy Rd., where other Gowers were buried. Nicholas Gower built a long cabin near the cemetery in 1848, and, according to a descendant, was buried in this cemetery. The relationship of Matthew and Nicholas is not known.)

Horton, Isaac: From Minute Book, Court of Pleas & Quarterly Session, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1822-1826, p. 330, Apr. 8, 1825. Made an affidavit for Revolutionary War pension.

Markham, Lewis: From Minute Book, County Quarterly Court, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1828-1834, page 466. He presented his application for a Revolutionary War pension which being sworn to was ordered to be certified.

McAnally, John: (Note: Information from Mrs. Paul McAnally, whose husband was a descendant of Revolutionary soldier. Rt. 1, Columbia, Tenn.)

McCracken, James: "James McCracken b. Dec. 14, 1754, S.C., Rev. Soldier, d. Mar. 8, 1824, Lawrence Co., TN, married Mary Smith, b. Mar. 8, 1758, PA." Contributed by Mrs. Bart McLean, Box 415, Decatur, Texas. Tennessee Genealogical Society, "Ansearchin" News, Vol. 14, page 32, Jan.-Mar. 1967. Buried McCracken Cemetery.  (The information by Mrs. McLean has some errors. James actually died and is buried in Madison Co., AL, where the family lived before his wife and children migrated to TN. However, his widow, Mary, died and is buried in Lawrence Co., TN.)

McLaren, Daniel: "Daniel McLaren was a solider in the Revolutionary War, and died in Lawrence County, Tenn. in 1840." Goodspeed’s "History of Tennessee", p. 831. Goodspeed Pub. 1886, Nashville, Tenn. (Ed: This history, also, states that Daniel McLaren, father of above, served five years in the Revolutionary War, holding the rank of Major and died in Hickman County, Tenn. in 1844.)

Paine, William: "William Paine, a Revolutionary soldier, who came to Lawrence County about 1813. William’s father was James Paine, a Dr., who came to Virginia from England in 1740." "History of West Point" by Paul Welch, 1962, page 88.

Phillips, John: From Minute Book, Court of Pleas & Quarterly Session, Lawrence County, Tenn. 1822-1826, Oct. 7, Monday, 1822, p. 26. John Phillips, age about 70 years, came into court on this day and filed an affidavit pertaining to his Revolutionary War service. He stated that he enlisted for 3 years in Oct. 1776 in the State of N.C. in the Co. commanded by Capt. Abraham Shepherd in the 10^th Regt. in the N.C. Line, was discharged Oct. or Nov. 1777 at White Plains, Conn., because of "Rheumatics".

Roberts, Israel: From Minute Book, County Quarterly Court, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1835-1846, Feb. 3, 1845. Widow of Israel Roberts, Martha Roberts, applies for widow’s pension, for husband’s Rev. War Service.

Rogers, Wilson: From Minute Book, Court of Pleas & Quarterly Session, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1822-1826, p. 123, July 7, 1823. On this day, Wilson Rogers appeared in court and made an affidavit concerning his Revolutionary War service. He came back to court Jan. 9, 1833, and made another affidavit pertaining to the same.

Spears, Joseph: From Minute Book, Court of Pleas & Quarterly Session, Lawrence County, Tenn., Nov. 3, 1818. On this day, Joseph Spears appeared in court and made an affidavit pertaining to his Revolutionary War service. He stated that he was about 60 years old. He had belonged to the N.C. Continental Line, enlisting at Salsbury, N.C. and was in Col. Dixon’s Co., under Gen. Green. He was discharged at Charlestown, and had been in the battle of Eutaw Springs, S.C.

Spencer, Moses, Sen.: From Minute Book, Court of Pleas & Quarterly Session, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1818-1822, Oct. term, 1820. On this day, Moses Spencer, Sen. Appeared in court and made a schedule of his property, as ordered for his pension application which had been made at an earlier date. He served in the N.C. line. From Minute Book of County Quarterly Court, Lawrence County, 1835-1846, Oct. 2, 1843, p. 422. On this day, the widow of Moses Spencer, Sen. made application for widow’s pension. She stated that her husband died Mar. 27, 1826.

Stricklin, Frederick: From Minute book, Court of Pleas & Quarterly Session, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1818-1822, Aug. 5, 1818.
   Frederick Stricklin appeared in open Court and upon his application was admitted together with Zachariah Stricklin to make affidavit that he, Frederick Stricklin was a private soldier in the regular service in the United States in the Revolutionary War, it is therefore ordered by the Court that the affidavits of the said Frederick and Zachariah Stricklin be entered of record and that a certified copy thereof be sent to the War office of the United States to entitle him to a pension, which affidavits are in the following words and figures, Lawrence County Court, August Term, 1818.
   Frederick Stricklin makes oath that sometime about the year 1782 or 1783, it being the last year of the war, lie enlisted in the North Carolina Line of the Continentals under Captain Winn Dickson, one Dixon being Colonel, his first name not recollected and Nathaniel Green being Commanding General of the Division, that he was enlisted for 12 months, that he was mustered into service at Hillsborough in North Carolina and served his said time of 12 months in the States of North Carolina and South Carolina, that at the time of the expiration of his term he was discharged by one Colonel Armstrong, but that said discharge has long been lost or destroyed. This affiant further states that he is in indigent circumstances and that he needs the assistance and support of his Country, and that he knows of no person by whom he can prove the aforesaid facts. That he has never received a pension of the United States or any accounts, and that he doth hereby release all right to or interest in any or all pension or pensions that he heretofore has or hereafter may have except the present. Signed and sworn to in open Court, this 5th day of August, 1818.   Frederick x (his mark) Stricklin
Attest: M.H. Buchanan, Clerk.

State of Tennessee, Lawrence County Court, August term, 1818
Zachariah Stricklin makes oath that the facts set forth in the annexed affidavit of Frederick Stricklin are unknown to him except the fact of his being at the time in the army and service of the Revolution and annexed to the North Carolina Line of Continentals, and that he was absent from home in said service about the time mentioned in said affidavit and that from the time he left home it was about 13 months before his return.
Signed and sworn to in open court.     Zachariah x (his mark) Stricklin
Attest: M.H. Buchanan, Clerk

(Note: Zachariah may have been a brother of Frederick’s as in the first affidavit relative to his Revolutionary service, Zachariah stated that Frederick was gone from home for the period that he said he was in the War.)

Taylor, Elijah: From Minute Book, Court of Pleas & Quarterly Session, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1822-1826, p. 330, Apr. 8, 1825. Filed an affidavit pertaining to his Revolutionary War service and application for pension.

Thomas, Joseph: From Minute Book, County Quarterly Court, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1828-1834, page 476, Jan. 10. 1833. He presented his application for a Revolutionary War pension, which being sworn to was ordered to be certified.

Thomas, Samuel: From Minute Book, County Quarterly Court, Lawrence County, Tenn. 1847-1851, Apr. 2, 1849, page 156. He came into court and made a declaration for pension as a Revolutionary soldier. Gave his proof.

Thomas, William: (Note: Information from Mrs. Marvin Bryan, Nashville, Tenn.)

Thompson, Robert: From Minute Book, Court of Pleas & Quarterly Session, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1822-1826, page 26. Robert Thompson appeared in court and made an affidavit for Revolutionary War pension. He stated that he was about 62 years old, and now a resident of Franklin Co., Ala. He had previously applied for pension on May 2, 1819 at Cir. Ct., Wilson, Tenn. before Hon. Judge Isaacs. He had enlisted in Va. and served in Co. of Capt. Thos. Overton, 9^th Va. Regt. He was in the Battle of Monmouth, and several others, was taken prisoner at Charleston, and served 7 years.

Tippit, Erastus: From Minute Book, Court of Pleas & Quarterly Session, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1818-1822, Oct. 5^th, 1820. Erastus Tippit appeared in court and made a schedule of his property in accordance to that required from his pension certificate #13788. He stated that he was 60 years old on the 1^st day of Aug. 1820, was a resident of Lawrence County, Tenn., and had served in Col. James Hogan’s Regt., 3^rd Regt in Capt. Joseph Manford’s Co. in the N.C. line. (Ed. Note. This name was found spelled, Tippit, Tippet, Tippitt).

Wakefield, Abel: From Minute Book, County Quarterly Court, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1828-1834, page 466, Jan. 9, 1833. He presented his application for a Revolutionary War pension which being sworn to was ordered to be certified.

Waters, James, Sr.: From Minute Book, Circuit Court, Lawrence County, Tenn.

State of Tennessee, Lawrence County Circuit Court, February 27, 1826

    On this 27th day of Feby 1826 personally appeared in open court being a court of record for said county and circuits. James Waters aged seventy-eight years residing in Lawrence County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows. That he enlisted for the term of three years in the town of Little York in Pennsylvania in the month of April 1778, with Thomas Quick being (perhaps) the enlisting officer. That he served in the campaigns commanded by Colonel Joseph Crockett in the regiment commanded by Colonel Heath in the 7th Regiment of the State of Virginia in the Continental establishment. That in New Jersey he was transferred at Trenton to the company commanded by Capt. White in the regiment commanded by Col. Ball of the 2nd Regiment of the Virginia line. That he continued to serve until discharged in Williamsburg in said last minutia and company - and regiment about four months after the expirations of his time of service expired about July 1781 which discharge he has lost. That he was in the battle of Monmouth and at the fall of Charlestown when he was taken prisoner and exchanged at Jamestown in Virginia 15 months after he was taken, that he was after his discharge at the taking of Cornwalles at York as a substitute under Colonel Lewis. That this is his first application for a pension. That the reason he did not apply sooner, that is prior to the first of March 1823 is because he was told that he had to prove his service by two good winesses, which he could not do having no other testimony except his own oath. That his family consists of himself, by occupation a farmer, but not able to do much by reason of age and a sore leag which frequently lays him up for months, together his wife Eliza aged 60 years very infirm - his son James aged 18 years healthy and able to support himself - his son Jacob in the 17th year able to support himself - his daughter Sally aged 12 years healthy - his daughter Polly aged nine years healthy. That he has disposed of none of his property since 18th March in the year 1818 but to support his family and I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in anyway manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intention by so doing to diminish it to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled An Act to Provide for Certain Persons Engaged in the Land and Navel Services of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due me nor have I any incomes other than what is contained in the schedule hear unto annexed and by me subscribed.                              James Waters

Lawrence County, May 17th 1826

I Josephus Irvine Clerk of the circuit court for said county as hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the said James Waters did serve in the Revolutionary Was as stated in the preceding declarative against the commissary earnings for the terms of nine months under an engagement as the Continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath (or affirmation) like the schedule there as to (word unreadable) are truly copies from the records of state court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the afore said schedule is forty-nine dollars and fifty cents. In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand affixed my personal seal there being no seal of office this date at office the date above.

                   Josephus Irvine, Clerk of the Circuit Court for County

                   By A. W. Bumpass, D.C.

Williams, Hickman: From Minute Book, Court of Pleas & Quarterly Session, Lawrence County, Tenn., 1822-1826, p. 306, July 6, 1825. This day, he came into court and made an affidavit pertaining to his pension for Revolutionary War Service.

Updated July 20, 2009 by Kathy Niedergeses

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