This story and document is about Samuel's parents
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements
Pension application of John Fitzpatrick W7276 Sarah fn49NC Transcribed by Will Graves 12/27/08 [Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original.] [fn p. 45] State of Tennessee Smith County
On this 12th day of October 1838 personally appeared before me William Petty one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Sarah Fitzpatrick a resident of Smith County and State of Tennessee aged 84 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th, 1836 That she is the widow of John Fitzpatrick who was a revolutionary Soldier and served as a private in the regular Army previous to her marriage with him from 4 to 5 years as she heard him say but she cannot say under what captains or other officers and at this distant. She only recollects his frequently recounting the various circumstances of his Service to her after her marriage and will rely on proof to establish this part of his service. She recollects that just before the marriage took place her husband was out a tour of service She does not know whether three or six months but knows it was when the battle of King's Mountain1 he was a light horseman and he afterwards when he came home showed this affiant where a bullet had cut through the top of his horse's neck in the battle it was not long after this say the 7th day of June following that this affiant and said John Fitzpatrick were married in Surry County North Carolina they were married by a Baptist preacher by the name of William Hill. A short time after the marriage it came to his turn to go again into the Service he was drafted for a tour of three months and was marched to Bluford's bridge on she thinks in the black River she knows it was called Bluford's Bridge he served this time three months he served and was discharged a few days before she heard of the taking of Lord Cornwallis at little York but she recollects that when the British Army passed on to Virginia where they were taken that they stayed all night encamped close to where she was living and her husband had not then returned home from his last tour above mentioned. She had all his papers and discharges but since his death they have been destroyed the Bible also which contained the record of her marriage and her children's ages are all destroyed She has therefore no documentary evidence in support of her claim. She further declares that she was married to the said John Fitzpatrick on the 7th day of June 1782 that her husband the aforesaid John Fitzpatrick died on the 31st day of July 1818 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before me S/ Wm Petty, JP S/ Sarah Fitzpatrick, X her mark [fn p. 5] State of Tennessee Smith County
1 The Battle of King's Mountain occurred on October 7, 1780.
On this 3 day of June 1848 personally appeared before me Stephen Petty an acting Justice
of the peace in and for said County Mrs. Sarah Fitzpatrick a resident of said County -- aged 90 years who on her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the acts of Congress passed July 4th, 1836 June 7th, 1838 granting half pay and pensions to certain widows that she is the widow of John Fitzpatrick who was a private soldier in the war of the Revolution -- and of the North Carolina line and served as heretofore stated in a former declaration made by her about the year ‘38 or ‘39 and which Declaration -- was sent to the department by A. Ferguson -- those declarant cannot from the great Elapse [sic] of time give as she knows any further particulars and therein stated Declarant states that she is certain -- that her husband served two three-month tours after they married as a militia man that she was married to him on the 7th of June previous to the battle of Guilford Court house that her husband was in service at that time and Engaged in said battle that as regards the Service he performed previous to their marriage she cannot give the particulars but have repeatedly heard him state that he was in the service As much as three years before they were married one tour as a private in a light horse Company probably for 9 months this I think was in the year 1779 she thinks it was probable that he Service performed by him previous to this time was and Enlistment for 18 months at this date 1777 & 8 Declarant was not acquainted with said John -- but lived in the immediate neighborhood of his brother Samuel Fitzpatrick and heard him repeatedly speaking of his brother John being out in the service and we all living then in Surry County North Carolina -- I have also heard my husband repeatedly say he was in the battle at Kings Mountain and that his horse got shot through the neck and that he was also stationed a while at Bluford's Ridge Declarant also distinctly Recollects of seeing and handling of several of his discharges for various tours of service performed but all of which have long since been lost or destroyed but to give the names of officers or regiments he belonged she cannot do it except one of his captain's horse name was Blackbed and she has heard him call Many of the names of 60 [?] officers but now cannot recollect them -- declarant further states that she was married to John Fitzpatrick on the 7th of June 1780 by William Hill a minister of the gospel and that her said husband died the third of October 1802 that since his death she has not intermarried but still remains his widow and that her first child was born in August 1782 and their youngest child of 11 was born in April 1802 and that she has no document of record proof of her claim that her family record that contained this date of her marriage and births of her Children -- has been lost or destroyed so that she cannot produce it is probable that she could give some more particulars concerning her husband's services as she has heard him speak a great deal about it but owing to her recollection being very bad She is fearful she might make a mistake Sworn to and subscribed before me the date above written
Test:
S/ Stephen Petty, JP S/ Sarah Fitzpatrick, X her mark
[fn p. 12, Sarah was still alive on May 6, 1855, when while still living in Smith County, Tenn., she filed at age 100 for her bounty land entitlement.]
[fn p. 15, 2-page affidavit dated March 23, 1849, given by Elizabeth Darnel [could be Carnel] , 84, of Smith County Tenn., who testified as to her knowledge of Sarah and John Fitzpatrick living together as man and wife in Wilks [sic, Wilkes County, but affiant doesn't say whether in NC or Ga.] in 1795 when they had ‘several children' some of whom were, she supposes, 15 or 16 years old; that affiant ‘some years after which time' removed to Caswell County [NC] ‘where she formerly lived'; that she heard John Fitzpatrick speak of his having served in the Revolution and fought in the battle of King's Mountain where his horse was shot through the neck.] [fn p. 34] State of Tennessee Fayette County
On this 12th day of March 1849 personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said County Mr. Benjamin Starritt2 a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $100 per annum and a resident of said County aged 90 years and makes oath in due form of law that he was well acquainted with John Fitzpatrick of Surry County North Carolina in the days of the revolutionary War, that the said John Fitzpatrick was married to one Sarah East in said Surry County sometime in the early part of the year 1778, and that this affiant, on the occasion, was present and saw them legally Joined together affiant further states that in the latter part of the year 1778 the said John Fitzpatrick entered the Service of the United States in company with affiant as a drafted militia man for a tour of six months in Colonel Paceley's Regiment [sic, Paisley] & Captain Donnald's Company, which Tour he served out and was discharged on Savannah River and returned home, during this tour we were in the battle of Briar Creek,3 That we remained at home in the same neighborhood until Gates defeat at Camden immediately after which time myself and the said John Fitzpatrick again entered the service of the United States in a light horse or Cavalry Company commanded by Captain Daniel Gillespie in a Regiment commanded by Colonel John Gillaspie, that the said John Fitzpatrick remained in said service with this affiant and was in the mess with one Hugh McRory or McCrory who was also a member of said company, That we remained in said service being transferred to Colonel Lee's Legion which was well before the battle of Guilford4,That we were both at said battle, after which time we remained in Service under General Green [sic, Nathanael Greene] and was marched to the South, that we remained in said service until Close of the war, and was honorably discharged at the Fort near a place called the Two Sisters on Savannah River after which time we returned home, that during the time we were in said service the said John Fitzpatrick was a good and efficient soldier, that affiant was occasionally called upon and acted as Lieutenant to his Company That he was in various other Battles to wit Warhob's lane5 against the Tories and at Charlotte and the Eutaw Springs.6 Affiant acting a part of his time as an officer was well acquainted with the said John Fitzpatrick and is certain that he performed said service, that he was legally married to his wife the said Sarah at the time above mentioned Affiant also has understood from the said John Fitzpatrick, that he performed other tours of militia service previous to his marriage but of this affiant can say nothing of his own knowledge, That affiant left North Carolina at a very early date and can say nothing as to when the said Fitzpatrick died but understood that he was dead and that his widow the said Sarah had removed to Smith County in the State of Tennessee where she is still living as affiant is informed. There are probably
2 He is indexed in the National Archives under "Benjamin Starritt" without designation as to state and without papers. The cover sheet notes he was assigned to Lee's Legion (Private) Ctf. #1027 $100/annum last payment on September 12, 1849 while he was living in Fayette County, Tenn.
3 March 3, 1779. http://gaz.jrshelby.com/briercreek.htm 4 March 15, 1781
5 Sic, this is probably a reference to the engagement at Wahabs Plantation [also called Walkup's] which occurred on September 21, 1780 between Whigs commanded by Lt. Col. William Richardson Davie and Maj. George Hanger commanding the British/Loyalists. http://gaz.jrshelby.com/wahabsp.htm. John Allison questions whether or not Hanger was actually at Wahabs. John points out that Hanger does not mention being there in any of his post-war writings.
6 September 8, 1781. http://gaz.jrshelby.com/eutaw.htm
various other incidents and occurrences during our said Service, but from the great lapse of time and loss of memory affiant will not attempt to give them. Sworn to and subscribed, before me the day and date first above written S/ H. W. Sharp, JP S/ B. Staritt [sic] [Hardy W. Sharp] [fn pp. 41-43: facts in file: in an affidavit dated March 23, 1849, Sarah Fitzpatrick gave these details: that she lived with her father in Surry County near the Guilford County line; that her husband removed from Surry to Wilkes County, NC and from thence to Grason [sic, Grayson] County, Virginia where he died November 3, 1802]
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements
Pension application of John Fitzpatrick W7276 Sarah fn49NC Transcribed by Will Graves 12/27/08 [Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original.] [fn p. 45] State of Tennessee Smith County
On this 12th day of October 1838 personally appeared before me William Petty one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Sarah Fitzpatrick a resident of Smith County and State of Tennessee aged 84 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th, 1836 That she is the widow of John Fitzpatrick who was a revolutionary Soldier and served as a private in the regular Army previous to her marriage with him from 4 to 5 years as she heard him say but she cannot say under what captains or other officers and at this distant. She only recollects his frequently recounting the various circumstances of his Service to her after her marriage and will rely on proof to establish this part of his service. She recollects that just before the marriage took place her husband was out a tour of service She does not know whether three or six months but knows it was when the battle of King's Mountain1 he was a light horseman and he afterwards when he came home showed this affiant where a bullet had cut through the top of his horse's neck in the battle it was not long after this say the 7th day of June following that this affiant and said John Fitzpatrick were married in Surry County North Carolina they were married by a Baptist preacher by the name of William Hill. A short time after the marriage it came to his turn to go again into the Service he was drafted for a tour of three months and was marched to Bluford's bridge on she thinks in the black River she knows it was called Bluford's Bridge he served this time three months he served and was discharged a few days before she heard of the taking of Lord Cornwallis at little York but she recollects that when the British Army passed on to Virginia where they were taken that they stayed all night encamped close to where she was living and her husband had not then returned home from his last tour above mentioned. She had all his papers and discharges but since his death they have been destroyed the Bible also which contained the record of her marriage and her children's ages are all destroyed She has therefore no documentary evidence in support of her claim. She further declares that she was married to the said John Fitzpatrick on the 7th day of June 1782 that her husband the aforesaid John Fitzpatrick died on the 31st day of July 1818 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before me S/ Wm Petty, JP S/ Sarah Fitzpatrick, X her mark [fn p. 5] State of Tennessee Smith County
1 The Battle of King's Mountain occurred on October 7, 1780.
On this 3 day of June 1848 personally appeared before me Stephen Petty an acting Justice
of the peace in and for said County Mrs. Sarah Fitzpatrick a resident of said County -- aged 90 years who on her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the acts of Congress passed July 4th, 1836 June 7th, 1838 granting half pay and pensions to certain widows that she is the widow of John Fitzpatrick who was a private soldier in the war of the Revolution -- and of the North Carolina line and served as heretofore stated in a former declaration made by her about the year ‘38 or ‘39 and which Declaration -- was sent to the department by A. Ferguson -- those declarant cannot from the great Elapse [sic] of time give as she knows any further particulars and therein stated Declarant states that she is certain -- that her husband served two three-month tours after they married as a militia man that she was married to him on the 7th of June previous to the battle of Guilford Court house that her husband was in service at that time and Engaged in said battle that as regards the Service he performed previous to their marriage she cannot give the particulars but have repeatedly heard him state that he was in the service As much as three years before they were married one tour as a private in a light horse Company probably for 9 months this I think was in the year 1779 she thinks it was probable that he Service performed by him previous to this time was and Enlistment for 18 months at this date 1777 & 8 Declarant was not acquainted with said John -- but lived in the immediate neighborhood of his brother Samuel Fitzpatrick and heard him repeatedly speaking of his brother John being out in the service and we all living then in Surry County North Carolina -- I have also heard my husband repeatedly say he was in the battle at Kings Mountain and that his horse got shot through the neck and that he was also stationed a while at Bluford's Ridge Declarant also distinctly Recollects of seeing and handling of several of his discharges for various tours of service performed but all of which have long since been lost or destroyed but to give the names of officers or regiments he belonged she cannot do it except one of his captain's horse name was Blackbed and she has heard him call Many of the names of 60 [?] officers but now cannot recollect them -- declarant further states that she was married to John Fitzpatrick on the 7th of June 1780 by William Hill a minister of the gospel and that her said husband died the third of October 1802 that since his death she has not intermarried but still remains his widow and that her first child was born in August 1782 and their youngest child of 11 was born in April 1802 and that she has no document of record proof of her claim that her family record that contained this date of her marriage and births of her Children -- has been lost or destroyed so that she cannot produce it is probable that she could give some more particulars concerning her husband's services as she has heard him speak a great deal about it but owing to her recollection being very bad She is fearful she might make a mistake Sworn to and subscribed before me the date above written
Test:
S/ Stephen Petty, JP S/ Sarah Fitzpatrick, X her mark
[fn p. 12, Sarah was still alive on May 6, 1855, when while still living in Smith County, Tenn., she filed at age 100 for her bounty land entitlement.]
[fn p. 15, 2-page affidavit dated March 23, 1849, given by Elizabeth Darnel [could be Carnel] , 84, of Smith County Tenn., who testified as to her knowledge of Sarah and John Fitzpatrick living together as man and wife in Wilks [sic, Wilkes County, but affiant doesn't say whether in NC or Ga.] in 1795 when they had ‘several children' some of whom were, she supposes, 15 or 16 years old; that affiant ‘some years after which time' removed to Caswell County [NC] ‘where she formerly lived'; that she heard John Fitzpatrick speak of his having served in the Revolution and fought in the battle of King's Mountain where his horse was shot through the neck.] [fn p. 34] State of Tennessee Fayette County
On this 12th day of March 1849 personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said County Mr. Benjamin Starritt2 a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $100 per annum and a resident of said County aged 90 years and makes oath in due form of law that he was well acquainted with John Fitzpatrick of Surry County North Carolina in the days of the revolutionary War, that the said John Fitzpatrick was married to one Sarah East in said Surry County sometime in the early part of the year 1778, and that this affiant, on the occasion, was present and saw them legally Joined together affiant further states that in the latter part of the year 1778 the said John Fitzpatrick entered the Service of the United States in company with affiant as a drafted militia man for a tour of six months in Colonel Paceley's Regiment [sic, Paisley] & Captain Donnald's Company, which Tour he served out and was discharged on Savannah River and returned home, during this tour we were in the battle of Briar Creek,3 That we remained at home in the same neighborhood until Gates defeat at Camden immediately after which time myself and the said John Fitzpatrick again entered the service of the United States in a light horse or Cavalry Company commanded by Captain Daniel Gillespie in a Regiment commanded by Colonel John Gillaspie, that the said John Fitzpatrick remained in said service with this affiant and was in the mess with one Hugh McRory or McCrory who was also a member of said company, That we remained in said service being transferred to Colonel Lee's Legion which was well before the battle of Guilford4,That we were both at said battle, after which time we remained in Service under General Green [sic, Nathanael Greene] and was marched to the South, that we remained in said service until Close of the war, and was honorably discharged at the Fort near a place called the Two Sisters on Savannah River after which time we returned home, that during the time we were in said service the said John Fitzpatrick was a good and efficient soldier, that affiant was occasionally called upon and acted as Lieutenant to his Company That he was in various other Battles to wit Warhob's lane5 against the Tories and at Charlotte and the Eutaw Springs.6 Affiant acting a part of his time as an officer was well acquainted with the said John Fitzpatrick and is certain that he performed said service, that he was legally married to his wife the said Sarah at the time above mentioned Affiant also has understood from the said John Fitzpatrick, that he performed other tours of militia service previous to his marriage but of this affiant can say nothing of his own knowledge, That affiant left North Carolina at a very early date and can say nothing as to when the said Fitzpatrick died but understood that he was dead and that his widow the said Sarah had removed to Smith County in the State of Tennessee where she is still living as affiant is informed. There are probably
2 He is indexed in the National Archives under "Benjamin Starritt" without designation as to state and without papers. The cover sheet notes he was assigned to Lee's Legion (Private) Ctf. #1027 $100/annum last payment on September 12, 1849 while he was living in Fayette County, Tenn.
3 March 3, 1779. http://gaz.jrshelby.com/briercreek.htm 4 March 15, 1781
5 Sic, this is probably a reference to the engagement at Wahabs Plantation [also called Walkup's] which occurred on September 21, 1780 between Whigs commanded by Lt. Col. William Richardson Davie and Maj. George Hanger commanding the British/Loyalists. http://gaz.jrshelby.com/wahabsp.htm. John Allison questions whether or not Hanger was actually at Wahabs. John points out that Hanger does not mention being there in any of his post-war writings.
6 September 8, 1781. http://gaz.jrshelby.com/eutaw.htm
various other incidents and occurrences during our said Service, but from the great lapse of time and loss of memory affiant will not attempt to give them. Sworn to and subscribed, before me the day and date first above written S/ H. W. Sharp, JP S/ B. Staritt [sic] [Hardy W. Sharp] [fn pp. 41-43: facts in file: in an affidavit dated March 23, 1849, Sarah Fitzpatrick gave these details: that she lived with her father in Surry County near the Guilford County line; that her husband removed from Surry to Wilkes County, NC and from thence to Grason [sic, Grayson] County, Virginia where he died November 3, 1802]
This story and document is about Samuel's parents
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements
Pension application of John Fitzpatrick W7276 Sarah fn49NC Transcribed by Will Graves 12/27/08 [Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original.] [fn p. 45] State of Tennessee Smith County
On this 12th day of October 1838 personally appeared before me William Petty one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Sarah Fitzpatrick a resident of Smith County and State of Tennessee aged 84 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th, 1836 That she is the widow of John Fitzpatrick who was a revolutionary Soldier and served as a private in the regular Army previous to her marriage with him from 4 to 5 years as she heard him say but she cannot say under what captains or other officers and at this distant. She only recollects his frequently recounting the various circumstances of his Service to her after her marriage and will rely on proof to establish this part of his service. She recollects that just before the marriage took place her husband was out a tour of service She does not know whether three or six months but knows it was when the battle of King's Mountain1 he was a light horseman and he afterwards when he came home showed this affiant where a bullet had cut through the top of his horse's neck in the battle it was not long after this say the 7th day of June following that this affiant and said John Fitzpatrick were married in Surry County North Carolina they were married by a Baptist preacher by the name of William Hill. A short time after the marriage it came to his turn to go again into the Service he was drafted for a tour of three months and was marched to Bluford's bridge on she thinks in the black River she knows it was called Bluford's Bridge he served this time three months he served and was discharged a few days before she heard of the taking of Lord Cornwallis at little York but she recollects that when the British Army passed on to Virginia where they were taken that they stayed all night encamped close to where she was living and her husband had not then returned home from his last tour above mentioned. She had all his papers and discharges but since his death they have been destroyed the Bible also which contained the record of her marriage and her children's ages are all destroyed She has therefore no documentary evidence in support of her claim. She further declares that she was married to the said John Fitzpatrick on the 7th day of June 1782 that her husband the aforesaid John Fitzpatrick died on the 31st day of July 1818 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before me S/ Wm Petty, JP S/ Sarah Fitzpatrick, X her mark [fn p. 5] State of Tennessee Smith County
1 The Battle of King's Mountain occurred on October 7, 1780.
On this 3 day of June 1848 personally appeared before me Stephen Petty an acting Justice
of the peace in and for said County Mrs. Sarah Fitzpatrick a resident of said County -- aged 90 years who on her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the acts of Congress passed July 4th, 1836 June 7th, 1838 granting half pay and pensions to certain widows that she is the widow of John Fitzpatrick who was a private soldier in the war of the Revolution -- and of the North Carolina line and served as heretofore stated in a former declaration made by her about the year ‘38 or ‘39 and which Declaration -- was sent to the department by A. Ferguson -- those declarant cannot from the great Elapse [sic] of time give as she knows any further particulars and therein stated Declarant states that she is certain -- that her husband served two three-month tours after they married as a militia man that she was married to him on the 7th of June previous to the battle of Guilford Court house that her husband was in service at that time and Engaged in said battle that as regards the Service he performed previous to their marriage she cannot give the particulars but have repeatedly heard him state that he was in the service As much as three years before they were married one tour as a private in a light horse Company probably for 9 months this I think was in the year 1779 she thinks it was probable that he Service performed by him previous to this time was and Enlistment for 18 months at this date 1777 & 8 Declarant was not acquainted with said John -- but lived in the immediate neighborhood of his brother Samuel Fitzpatrick and heard him repeatedly speaking of his brother John being out in the service and we all living then in Surry County North Carolina -- I have also heard my husband repeatedly say he was in the battle at Kings Mountain and that his horse got shot through the neck and that he was also stationed a while at Bluford's Ridge Declarant also distinctly Recollects of seeing and handling of several of his discharges for various tours of service performed but all of which have long since been lost or destroyed but to give the names of officers or regiments he belonged she cannot do it except one of his captain's horse name was Blackbed and she has heard him call Many of the names of 60 [?] officers but now cannot recollect them -- declarant further states that she was married to John Fitzpatrick on the 7th of June 1780 by William Hill a minister of the gospel and that her said husband died the third of October 1802 that since his death she has not intermarried but still remains his widow and that her first child was born in August 1782 and their youngest child of 11 was born in April 1802 and that she has no document of record proof of her claim that her family record that contained this date of her marriage and births of her Children -- has been lost or destroyed so that she cannot produce it is probable that she could give some more particulars concerning her husband's services as she has heard him speak a great deal about it but owing to her recollection being very bad She is fearful she might make a mistake Sworn to and subscribed before me the date above written
Test:
S/ Stephen Petty, JP S/ Sarah Fitzpatrick, X her mark
[fn p. 12, Sarah was still alive on May 6, 1855, when while still living in Smith County, Tenn., she filed at age 100 for her bounty land entitlement.]
[fn p. 15, 2-page affidavit dated March 23, 1849, given by Elizabeth Darnel [could be Carnel] , 84, of Smith County Tenn., who testified as to her knowledge of Sarah and John Fitzpatrick living together as man and wife in Wilks [sic, Wilkes County, but affiant doesn't say whether in NC or Ga.] in 1795 when they had ‘several children' some of whom were, she supposes, 15 or 16 years old; that affiant ‘some years after which time' removed to Caswell County [NC] ‘where she formerly lived'; that she heard John Fitzpatrick speak of his having served in the Revolution and fought in the battle of King's Mountain where his horse was shot through the neck.] [fn p. 34] State of Tennessee Fayette County
On this 12th day of March 1849 personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said County Mr. Benjamin Starritt2 a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $100 per annum and a resident of said County aged 90 years and makes oath in due form of law that he was well acquainted with John Fitzpatrick of Surry County North Carolina in the days of the revolutionary War, that the said John Fitzpatrick was married to one Sarah East in said Surry County sometime in the early part of the year 1778, and that this affiant, on the occasion, was present and saw them legally Joined together affiant further states that in the latter part of the year 1778 the said John Fitzpatrick entered the Service of the United States in company with affiant as a drafted militia man for a tour of six months in Colonel Paceley's Regiment [sic, Paisley] & Captain Donnald's Company, which Tour he served out and was discharged on Savannah River and returned home, during this tour we were in the battle of Briar Creek,3 That we remained at home in the same neighborhood until Gates defeat at Camden immediately after which time myself and the said John Fitzpatrick again entered the service of the United States in a light horse or Cavalry Company commanded by Captain Daniel Gillespie in a Regiment commanded by Colonel John Gillaspie, that the said John Fitzpatrick remained in said service with this affiant and was in the mess with one Hugh McRory or McCrory who was also a member of said company, That we remained in said service being transferred to Colonel Lee's Legion which was well before the battle of Guilford4,That we were both at said battle, after which time we remained in Service under General Green [sic, Nathanael Greene] and was marched to the South, that we remained in said service until Close of the war, and was honorably discharged at the Fort near a place called the Two Sisters on Savannah River after which time we returned home, that during the time we were in said service the said John Fitzpatrick was a good and efficient soldier, that affiant was occasionally called upon and acted as Lieutenant to his Company That he was in various other Battles to wit Warhob's lane5 against the Tories and at Charlotte and the Eutaw Springs.6 Affiant acting a part of his time as an officer was well acquainted with the said John Fitzpatrick and is certain that he performed said service, that he was legally married to his wife the said Sarah at the time above mentioned Affiant also has understood from the said John Fitzpatrick, that he performed other tours of militia service previous to his marriage but of this affiant can say nothing of his own knowledge, That affiant left North Carolina at a very early date and can say nothing as to when the said Fitzpatrick died but understood that he was dead and that his widow the said Sarah had removed to Smith County in the State of Tennessee where she is still living as affiant is informed. There are probably
2 He is indexed in the National Archives under "Benjamin Starritt" without designation as to state and without papers. The cover sheet notes he was assigned to Lee's Legion (Private) Ctf. #1027 $100/annum last payment on September 12, 1849 while he was living in Fayette County, Tenn.
3 March 3, 1779. http://gaz.jrshelby.com/briercreek.htm 4 March 15, 1781
5 Sic, this is probably a reference to the engagement at Wahabs Plantation [also called Walkup's] which occurred on September 21, 1780 between Whigs commanded by Lt. Col. William Richardson Davie and Maj. George Hanger commanding the British/Loyalists. http://gaz.jrshelby.com/wahabsp.htm. John Allison questions whether or not Hanger was actually at Wahabs. John points out that Hanger does not mention being there in any of his post-war writings.
6 September 8, 1781. http://gaz.jrshelby.com/eutaw.htm
various other incidents and occurrences during our said Service, but from the great lapse of time and loss of memory affiant will not attempt to give them. Sworn to and subscribed, before me the day and date first above written S/ H. W. Sharp, JP S/ B. Staritt [sic] [Hardy W. Sharp] [fn pp. 41-43: facts in file: in an affidavit dated March 23, 1849, Sarah Fitzpatrick gave these details: that she lived with her father in Surry County near the Guilford County line; that her husband removed from Surry to Wilkes County, NC and from thence to Grason [sic, Grayson] County, Virginia where he died November 3, 1802]
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements
Pension application of John Fitzpatrick W7276 Sarah fn49NC Transcribed by Will Graves 12/27/08 [Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original.] [fn p. 45] State of Tennessee Smith County
On this 12th day of October 1838 personally appeared before me William Petty one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Sarah Fitzpatrick a resident of Smith County and State of Tennessee aged 84 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th, 1836 That she is the widow of John Fitzpatrick who was a revolutionary Soldier and served as a private in the regular Army previous to her marriage with him from 4 to 5 years as she heard him say but she cannot say under what captains or other officers and at this distant. She only recollects his frequently recounting the various circumstances of his Service to her after her marriage and will rely on proof to establish this part of his service. She recollects that just before the marriage took place her husband was out a tour of service She does not know whether three or six months but knows it was when the battle of King's Mountain1 he was a light horseman and he afterwards when he came home showed this affiant where a bullet had cut through the top of his horse's neck in the battle it was not long after this say the 7th day of June following that this affiant and said John Fitzpatrick were married in Surry County North Carolina they were married by a Baptist preacher by the name of William Hill. A short time after the marriage it came to his turn to go again into the Service he was drafted for a tour of three months and was marched to Bluford's bridge on she thinks in the black River she knows it was called Bluford's Bridge he served this time three months he served and was discharged a few days before she heard of the taking of Lord Cornwallis at little York but she recollects that when the British Army passed on to Virginia where they were taken that they stayed all night encamped close to where she was living and her husband had not then returned home from his last tour above mentioned. She had all his papers and discharges but since his death they have been destroyed the Bible also which contained the record of her marriage and her children's ages are all destroyed She has therefore no documentary evidence in support of her claim. She further declares that she was married to the said John Fitzpatrick on the 7th day of June 1782 that her husband the aforesaid John Fitzpatrick died on the 31st day of July 1818 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before me S/ Wm Petty, JP S/ Sarah Fitzpatrick, X her mark [fn p. 5] State of Tennessee Smith County
1 The Battle of King's Mountain occurred on October 7, 1780.
On this 3 day of June 1848 personally appeared before me Stephen Petty an acting Justice
of the peace in and for said County Mrs. Sarah Fitzpatrick a resident of said County -- aged 90 years who on her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the acts of Congress passed July 4th, 1836 June 7th, 1838 granting half pay and pensions to certain widows that she is the widow of John Fitzpatrick who was a private soldier in the war of the Revolution -- and of the North Carolina line and served as heretofore stated in a former declaration made by her about the year ‘38 or ‘39 and which Declaration -- was sent to the department by A. Ferguson -- those declarant cannot from the great Elapse [sic] of time give as she knows any further particulars and therein stated Declarant states that she is certain -- that her husband served two three-month tours after they married as a militia man that she was married to him on the 7th of June previous to the battle of Guilford Court house that her husband was in service at that time and Engaged in said battle that as regards the Service he performed previous to their marriage she cannot give the particulars but have repeatedly heard him state that he was in the service As much as three years before they were married one tour as a private in a light horse Company probably for 9 months this I think was in the year 1779 she thinks it was probable that he Service performed by him previous to this time was and Enlistment for 18 months at this date 1777 & 8 Declarant was not acquainted with said John -- but lived in the immediate neighborhood of his brother Samuel Fitzpatrick and heard him repeatedly speaking of his brother John being out in the service and we all living then in Surry County North Carolina -- I have also heard my husband repeatedly say he was in the battle at Kings Mountain and that his horse got shot through the neck and that he was also stationed a while at Bluford's Ridge Declarant also distinctly Recollects of seeing and handling of several of his discharges for various tours of service performed but all of which have long since been lost or destroyed but to give the names of officers or regiments he belonged she cannot do it except one of his captain's horse name was Blackbed and she has heard him call Many of the names of 60 [?] officers but now cannot recollect them -- declarant further states that she was married to John Fitzpatrick on the 7th of June 1780 by William Hill a minister of the gospel and that her said husband died the third of October 1802 that since his death she has not intermarried but still remains his widow and that her first child was born in August 1782 and their youngest child of 11 was born in April 1802 and that she has no document of record proof of her claim that her family record that contained this date of her marriage and births of her Children -- has been lost or destroyed so that she cannot produce it is probable that she could give some more particulars concerning her husband's services as she has heard him speak a great deal about it but owing to her recollection being very bad She is fearful she might make a mistake Sworn to and subscribed before me the date above written
Test:
S/ Stephen Petty, JP S/ Sarah Fitzpatrick, X her mark
[fn p. 12, Sarah was still alive on May 6, 1855, when while still living in Smith County, Tenn., she filed at age 100 for her bounty land entitlement.]
[fn p. 15, 2-page affidavit dated March 23, 1849, given by Elizabeth Darnel [could be Carnel] , 84, of Smith County Tenn., who testified as to her knowledge of Sarah and John Fitzpatrick living together as man and wife in Wilks [sic, Wilkes County, but affiant doesn't say whether in NC or Ga.] in 1795 when they had ‘several children' some of whom were, she supposes, 15 or 16 years old; that affiant ‘some years after which time' removed to Caswell County [NC] ‘where she formerly lived'; that she heard John Fitzpatrick speak of his having served in the Revolution and fought in the battle of King's Mountain where his horse was shot through the neck.] [fn p. 34] State of Tennessee Fayette County
On this 12th day of March 1849 personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said County Mr. Benjamin Starritt2 a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $100 per annum and a resident of said County aged 90 years and makes oath in due form of law that he was well acquainted with John Fitzpatrick of Surry County North Carolina in the days of the revolutionary War, that the said John Fitzpatrick was married to one Sarah East in said Surry County sometime in the early part of the year 1778, and that this affiant, on the occasion, was present and saw them legally Joined together affiant further states that in the latter part of the year 1778 the said John Fitzpatrick entered the Service of the United States in company with affiant as a drafted militia man for a tour of six months in Colonel Paceley's Regiment [sic, Paisley] & Captain Donnald's Company, which Tour he served out and was discharged on Savannah River and returned home, during this tour we were in the battle of Briar Creek,3 That we remained at home in the same neighborhood until Gates defeat at Camden immediately after which time myself and the said John Fitzpatrick again entered the service of the United States in a light horse or Cavalry Company commanded by Captain Daniel Gillespie in a Regiment commanded by Colonel John Gillaspie, that the said John Fitzpatrick remained in said service with this affiant and was in the mess with one Hugh McRory or McCrory who was also a member of said company, That we remained in said service being transferred to Colonel Lee's Legion which was well before the battle of Guilford4,That we were both at said battle, after which time we remained in Service under General Green [sic, Nathanael Greene] and was marched to the South, that we remained in said service until Close of the war, and was honorably discharged at the Fort near a place called the Two Sisters on Savannah River after which time we returned home, that during the time we were in said service the said John Fitzpatrick was a good and efficient soldier, that affiant was occasionally called upon and acted as Lieutenant to his Company That he was in various other Battles to wit Warhob's lane5 against the Tories and at Charlotte and the Eutaw Springs.6 Affiant acting a part of his time as an officer was well acquainted with the said John Fitzpatrick and is certain that he performed said service, that he was legally married to his wife the said Sarah at the time above mentioned Affiant also has understood from the said John Fitzpatrick, that he performed other tours of militia service previous to his marriage but of this affiant can say nothing of his own knowledge, That affiant left North Carolina at a very early date and can say nothing as to when the said Fitzpatrick died but understood that he was dead and that his widow the said Sarah had removed to Smith County in the State of Tennessee where she is still living as affiant is informed. There are probably
2 He is indexed in the National Archives under "Benjamin Starritt" without designation as to state and without papers. The cover sheet notes he was assigned to Lee's Legion (Private) Ctf. #1027 $100/annum last payment on September 12, 1849 while he was living in Fayette County, Tenn.
3 March 3, 1779. http://gaz.jrshelby.com/briercreek.htm 4 March 15, 1781
5 Sic, this is probably a reference to the engagement at Wahabs Plantation [also called Walkup's] which occurred on September 21, 1780 between Whigs commanded by Lt. Col. William Richardson Davie and Maj. George Hanger commanding the British/Loyalists. http://gaz.jrshelby.com/wahabsp.htm. John Allison questions whether or not Hanger was actually at Wahabs. John points out that Hanger does not mention being there in any of his post-war writings.
6 September 8, 1781. http://gaz.jrshelby.com/eutaw.htm
various other incidents and occurrences during our said Service, but from the great lapse of time and loss of memory affiant will not attempt to give them. Sworn to and subscribed, before me the day and date first above written S/ H. W. Sharp, JP S/ B. Staritt [sic] [Hardy W. Sharp] [fn pp. 41-43: facts in file: in an affidavit dated March 23, 1849, Sarah Fitzpatrick gave these details: that she lived with her father in Surry County near the Guilford County line; that her husband removed from Surry to Wilkes County, NC and from thence to Grason [sic, Grayson] County, Virginia where he died November 3, 1802]
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