State of Alabama Lawrence County June 15th, 1833
On this day appeared in XXXX court before the Judge of the County Court of Lawrence County now sitting now sitting Samuel McGaughy a resident of the county of Lawrence and State aforwarded age near seventy years 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 passed June 7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated. ~ I was born in York County, State of Pennsylvania on the 15th day of July 1763 according to the information given me by my parents and the record in their family Bible. ~ At nine years of age my father moved to the Holstein River, now Washington County Virginia. ~ I was living in a Fort when the Revolutionary war began. In the Spring of 1778 the Indians made War and my father was called on and I substituted in his place and served a month as a guard under Captain John Shelby on Clinch River. ~ In August of the same year I served in the same capacity at the same place an month under Captain James Montgomery both these on foot. (1 &2) ~ (3) In the first of March 1779 I volunteered and enrolled myself as such under Captain James Montgomery to go against the Chicka (maggy?) Indians their at war with the whites. Six hundred troops were raised commanded by Colonel Evan Shelby XXX (TEN?) We were joined by three hundred regular troops commanded by Col. Montgomery of Virginia. We proceeded down the Tennessee (?) in Boats to their towns new the XXX. We landed destroyed their towns, killed some of their men. I took a number of their women and children prisoner. Col. Montgomery marched to join Gen. Clark at Illinois and Col. Shelby returned home. I got home about the middle of May. I performed this service on foot. Shortly after this went a survey (?) of the Virginia and North Carolina line was made by (commissioners or campaigners?) and my father’s residence was found on the Carolina side now Sullivan County Tennessee and the service hereafter mentioned were rendered now North Carolina and under her laws.
4th, In the fall of 1779 the settlements of Kentucky being very much harassed by the Indians, I again took the field as a volunteer under Capt. John McKee of Rockbridge County State of Virginia, as a mounted Rifleman, became one of his spies and served in that capacity seven months and was discharged. 5thly 5th (?) In the summer of 1780 as well as I can recollect, I again volunteered under Capt. Andrew Cowan to go against the British and Tories in South Carolina, as a Mounted Rifleman. Colonel Isaac Shelby commanded this expedition. We marched to South Carolina and then joined General Charles McDowall, Chief in Command. I was in several skirmishes, two hard battles XXX on the Tyger (?) River and the other on North Pacolet (?) River. We were successful in both. I was one of those who stormed an old for and took one hundred Tories and one British officer prisoner. The British officer was sent to train and discipline the Tories. I was discharged after a tour of four months.
6thly In the fall of 1780 as well as I can now recollect, the British and Tories under Ferguson, drove General McDowall over the mountains to the western waters. Almost every man was called on to XXX return. Col. Shelby from Sullivan County Col. Sevier from Washington County North Carolina and Col. Campbell from Washington County Virginia each at the head of a Mounted Rifle Regiment. I was attached to the Company commander Captain John Pemberton in the Regiment of Col. Shelby. Colonel Campbell was appointed to take the Chief Command of our forces and we went in pursuit of the enemy who had retracted to Kings Mountain when he made a stand we attached them, killed Ferguson their Commander and killed and took mostly the whole army. In this campaign I served as volunteer Mounted Rifleman six weeks.
7th Some short time after the above campaign I volunteered as a private under Captain Andrew Cowan and went a tour in the Mounted Rifleman service against the Cherokee Indians. Col. Rupell of Sullivan County commanded the Regiment to which we where attached, we joined Col. Arthur Campbell of Virginia who took the Chief Command. We proceeded to their towns on the Tennessee and French Broad Rivers, destroyed them and killed many of their warriors. They (asked?) for peace and we returned home in February or March 1881. I was detained in this service for four months as well as I can now remember.
8th, In the month of April 1781 Thomas Wallace and myself raised by voluntary XXX a large company of mounted infantry for four months service. Wallace was elected Captain and I was chosen Lieutenant. Isaac Shelby commanded the Regiment as First Colonel and Isaac Bledsoe as Lieutenant Col. As soon as our forces could be organized and in the same month we marched to the seat of the War in South Carolina and joined General Green who was there in Command. Then we were sent in advance of Gen. Green, to General Marion. We continued with Marion our time out. Col. Shelby and Captain Wallace being called home on some account Col. Bledsoe took the command of the Regiment and I was appointed Captain in place of Wallace. General Marion made an animated appeal to our patriotism and requested that we would remain with him longer. I as Captain XXX up for volunteers and obtained a sufficient number to continue a company and we agreed to continue in service two months longer believing that time would close the war at the end of the said two months service. We were discharged. I will further state that when Col. Shelby went home, many of the men when with him and by that means the number of Regiments was restricted and my Company was attached to Colonel Sevier’s Regiment from whom I received a commission as Captain and I believe the enclosed defaced papers to be the same which I have found among my old papers since I made my former declarations. In relation to its being the commission attended to I cannot speak with any degree of certainty it being so much defaced as to be almost entirely illegible. I only offer it for inspection to be received in the investigation of my claim to the justice of my country for its worth.
In this last tour of two months service we pursued the British and Tories at General Green commanded us and that the Eutaw Springs we fought the most bloody battle I was in during the war. We gained a complete victory over the enemy as well as I remember this war in the month of September in 1781. In this battle Col. Washington commanded our light house (or horse?) and General Marion the troop of militia I was in. This tour of service, including the six months in actual service in the field and the time XXX for marching to and from the seat of war was eight months.
It may be that in the references I have made to dates and the perils of the war in which I served and account of lapse of time and decay of mind and body there may be found some slight errors but they are all unintentional if any exist. Whether I received discharge from all the tours of service above mentioned I cannot recollect for some I know I had discharge but they are all lost so that they cannot be found. I have no recollection of having a commission as an officer during my service except the enclosed paper XXX which is presented to the department under the circumstances above state. I have no knowledge of any person within my XXX by whom I can prove all my services. Agnes Alexander my sister know that I was in the service and Jerimiah (?Agnes’ husband’s name was Archibald) Alexander was with me one tour.
(1?) I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and I declare the State of Pennsylvania on the 15th day of July 1763.
2. Have you any record of your age and where is it?
Answer: I have in the family Bible of my father, now at my house.
3. When were you living when you entered the Revolutionary Service and where do you now live?
Answer: I lived in Sullivan County as stated in my declaration. Moved from there to (Seiver?) and lived four years then XXX on the French Broad. I lived there until 1818. I then moved to Lawrence County Alabama where I know live.
4. How were you called into service, were you a volunteer, drafted or a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
Answer: I was a volunteer in all the tours except two as stated in my declaration.
5. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served, such continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer: This question is as fully answered in my declaration as I can possibly recollect now.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so what was XXXXXXXXXXXX?
Answer: I have answered this question in my declaration as fully as I could do by a representation of what I have there stated. I recollect nothing more in relation to the subject.
7. State the name of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify to your character for verification and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolutionary.
Answer: The Reverand John Stevenson, Colonel George McGaughy, Samuel J Wilson Esqr and almost all the public men of this county.
And this said court does hereby declare their opinion after this investigation of this matter and after finishing the investigation prescribed by the War Department, that this above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as an officer as he states, and the court further certify that it appears to the court John Stevenson by whom the forgoing certificate is signed is a clergyman resident in the said County of Lawrence and that George McGaughy and Samuel J Wilson who have also signed the same as resident citizens of said County, an credible person and that their Statements are entitled to credit.
Samuel B Wallace Esq
The deposition of Agnes Alexander as the sister of the forefoing applicant for a pension taken in open court before the above named James B Wallace Judge as XXX taken on the 15th day of June 1883.
The deposed states that she knows said Samuel McGaughy her brother was out in the service many campaigns and tours of duty during the Revolutionary War and that she had to work in the field to make bread for the family in consequence of his absence. He was scarcely ever at home. She does not recollect the different battles, 4 XXX Kings Mountain that was XXX us and I recollect that so many of our neighbors were deployed there, my mother experienced great uneasiness about my brother Samuel who was then in the service but I am younger than my brother but I recollect distinctly that he was out against the Indians once on a long tour, and often against the British and Tories.
Agnes Alexander
Jeremiah (?) Alexander appeared in open court and makes oath that during the Revolutionary War he lived in the County adjoining to the residence of the foregoing Samuel McGaughy. He knew him then and knows that he was in the service, this applicant was with him in the campaign to Kings Mountain but was not in that battle. He knows that in the neighborhood he was reputed to have been often in the service during the war and a good friend to his country. I recollect that after said McGaughy returned home from South Carolina, then the southern seat of the war he was called Captain McGaughy.
Jeremiah (his mark as an X) Alexander
James B Wallace, Judge of the County Court of Lawrence County Alabama do hereby certify that Agnes Alexander and Jerimiah Alexander who have signed the foregoing deposition are credible persons living in this county that they swore to subscribe the same before me. June 16, 1838 And this said court does hereby declare their opinion after this investigation of this matter and after finishing the investigation prescribed by the War Department, that this above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as an officer as he states, and the court further certify that it appears to the court John Stevenson by whom the forgoing certificate is signed is a clergyman resident in the said County of Lawrence and that George McGaughy and Samuel J Wilson who have also signed the same as resident citizens of said County, an credible person and that their Statements are entitled to credit.
James B Wallace Judge of County Court of Lawrence County.
State of Alabama Lawrence County
I John Gregg Clark of the County Court of foresaid county do hereby certify that their foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel McGaughy for a pension (?). In testimony where of I have XXX my house and deal of office at office the 16th day of June 1883.
John Gregg Clark
On this day appeared in XXXX court before the Judge of the County Court of Lawrence County now sitting now sitting Samuel McGaughy a resident of the county of Lawrence and State aforwarded age near seventy years 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 passed June 7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated. ~ I was born in York County, State of Pennsylvania on the 15th day of July 1763 according to the information given me by my parents and the record in their family Bible. ~ At nine years of age my father moved to the Holstein River, now Washington County Virginia. ~ I was living in a Fort when the Revolutionary war began. In the Spring of 1778 the Indians made War and my father was called on and I substituted in his place and served a month as a guard under Captain John Shelby on Clinch River. ~ In August of the same year I served in the same capacity at the same place an month under Captain James Montgomery both these on foot. (1 &2) ~ (3) In the first of March 1779 I volunteered and enrolled myself as such under Captain James Montgomery to go against the Chicka (maggy?) Indians their at war with the whites. Six hundred troops were raised commanded by Colonel Evan Shelby XXX (TEN?) We were joined by three hundred regular troops commanded by Col. Montgomery of Virginia. We proceeded down the Tennessee (?) in Boats to their towns new the XXX. We landed destroyed their towns, killed some of their men. I took a number of their women and children prisoner. Col. Montgomery marched to join Gen. Clark at Illinois and Col. Shelby returned home. I got home about the middle of May. I performed this service on foot. Shortly after this went a survey (?) of the Virginia and North Carolina line was made by (commissioners or campaigners?) and my father’s residence was found on the Carolina side now Sullivan County Tennessee and the service hereafter mentioned were rendered now North Carolina and under her laws.
4th, In the fall of 1779 the settlements of Kentucky being very much harassed by the Indians, I again took the field as a volunteer under Capt. John McKee of Rockbridge County State of Virginia, as a mounted Rifleman, became one of his spies and served in that capacity seven months and was discharged. 5thly 5th (?) In the summer of 1780 as well as I can recollect, I again volunteered under Capt. Andrew Cowan to go against the British and Tories in South Carolina, as a Mounted Rifleman. Colonel Isaac Shelby commanded this expedition. We marched to South Carolina and then joined General Charles McDowall, Chief in Command. I was in several skirmishes, two hard battles XXX on the Tyger (?) River and the other on North Pacolet (?) River. We were successful in both. I was one of those who stormed an old for and took one hundred Tories and one British officer prisoner. The British officer was sent to train and discipline the Tories. I was discharged after a tour of four months.
6thly In the fall of 1780 as well as I can now recollect, the British and Tories under Ferguson, drove General McDowall over the mountains to the western waters. Almost every man was called on to XXX return. Col. Shelby from Sullivan County Col. Sevier from Washington County North Carolina and Col. Campbell from Washington County Virginia each at the head of a Mounted Rifle Regiment. I was attached to the Company commander Captain John Pemberton in the Regiment of Col. Shelby. Colonel Campbell was appointed to take the Chief Command of our forces and we went in pursuit of the enemy who had retracted to Kings Mountain when he made a stand we attached them, killed Ferguson their Commander and killed and took mostly the whole army. In this campaign I served as volunteer Mounted Rifleman six weeks.
7th Some short time after the above campaign I volunteered as a private under Captain Andrew Cowan and went a tour in the Mounted Rifleman service against the Cherokee Indians. Col. Rupell of Sullivan County commanded the Regiment to which we where attached, we joined Col. Arthur Campbell of Virginia who took the Chief Command. We proceeded to their towns on the Tennessee and French Broad Rivers, destroyed them and killed many of their warriors. They (asked?) for peace and we returned home in February or March 1881. I was detained in this service for four months as well as I can now remember.
8th, In the month of April 1781 Thomas Wallace and myself raised by voluntary XXX a large company of mounted infantry for four months service. Wallace was elected Captain and I was chosen Lieutenant. Isaac Shelby commanded the Regiment as First Colonel and Isaac Bledsoe as Lieutenant Col. As soon as our forces could be organized and in the same month we marched to the seat of the War in South Carolina and joined General Green who was there in Command. Then we were sent in advance of Gen. Green, to General Marion. We continued with Marion our time out. Col. Shelby and Captain Wallace being called home on some account Col. Bledsoe took the command of the Regiment and I was appointed Captain in place of Wallace. General Marion made an animated appeal to our patriotism and requested that we would remain with him longer. I as Captain XXX up for volunteers and obtained a sufficient number to continue a company and we agreed to continue in service two months longer believing that time would close the war at the end of the said two months service. We were discharged. I will further state that when Col. Shelby went home, many of the men when with him and by that means the number of Regiments was restricted and my Company was attached to Colonel Sevier’s Regiment from whom I received a commission as Captain and I believe the enclosed defaced papers to be the same which I have found among my old papers since I made my former declarations. In relation to its being the commission attended to I cannot speak with any degree of certainty it being so much defaced as to be almost entirely illegible. I only offer it for inspection to be received in the investigation of my claim to the justice of my country for its worth.
In this last tour of two months service we pursued the British and Tories at General Green commanded us and that the Eutaw Springs we fought the most bloody battle I was in during the war. We gained a complete victory over the enemy as well as I remember this war in the month of September in 1781. In this battle Col. Washington commanded our light house (or horse?) and General Marion the troop of militia I was in. This tour of service, including the six months in actual service in the field and the time XXX for marching to and from the seat of war was eight months.
It may be that in the references I have made to dates and the perils of the war in which I served and account of lapse of time and decay of mind and body there may be found some slight errors but they are all unintentional if any exist. Whether I received discharge from all the tours of service above mentioned I cannot recollect for some I know I had discharge but they are all lost so that they cannot be found. I have no recollection of having a commission as an officer during my service except the enclosed paper XXX which is presented to the department under the circumstances above state. I have no knowledge of any person within my XXX by whom I can prove all my services. Agnes Alexander my sister know that I was in the service and Jerimiah (?Agnes’ husband’s name was Archibald) Alexander was with me one tour.
(1?) I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and I declare the State of Pennsylvania on the 15th day of July 1763.
2. Have you any record of your age and where is it?
Answer: I have in the family Bible of my father, now at my house.
3. When were you living when you entered the Revolutionary Service and where do you now live?
Answer: I lived in Sullivan County as stated in my declaration. Moved from there to (Seiver?) and lived four years then XXX on the French Broad. I lived there until 1818. I then moved to Lawrence County Alabama where I know live.
4. How were you called into service, were you a volunteer, drafted or a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
Answer: I was a volunteer in all the tours except two as stated in my declaration.
5. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served, such continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer: This question is as fully answered in my declaration as I can possibly recollect now.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so what was XXXXXXXXXXXX?
Answer: I have answered this question in my declaration as fully as I could do by a representation of what I have there stated. I recollect nothing more in relation to the subject.
7. State the name of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify to your character for verification and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolutionary.
Answer: The Reverand John Stevenson, Colonel George McGaughy, Samuel J Wilson Esqr and almost all the public men of this county.
And this said court does hereby declare their opinion after this investigation of this matter and after finishing the investigation prescribed by the War Department, that this above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as an officer as he states, and the court further certify that it appears to the court John Stevenson by whom the forgoing certificate is signed is a clergyman resident in the said County of Lawrence and that George McGaughy and Samuel J Wilson who have also signed the same as resident citizens of said County, an credible person and that their Statements are entitled to credit.
Samuel B Wallace Esq
The deposition of Agnes Alexander as the sister of the forefoing applicant for a pension taken in open court before the above named James B Wallace Judge as XXX taken on the 15th day of June 1883.
The deposed states that she knows said Samuel McGaughy her brother was out in the service many campaigns and tours of duty during the Revolutionary War and that she had to work in the field to make bread for the family in consequence of his absence. He was scarcely ever at home. She does not recollect the different battles, 4 XXX Kings Mountain that was XXX us and I recollect that so many of our neighbors were deployed there, my mother experienced great uneasiness about my brother Samuel who was then in the service but I am younger than my brother but I recollect distinctly that he was out against the Indians once on a long tour, and often against the British and Tories.
Agnes Alexander
Jeremiah (?) Alexander appeared in open court and makes oath that during the Revolutionary War he lived in the County adjoining to the residence of the foregoing Samuel McGaughy. He knew him then and knows that he was in the service, this applicant was with him in the campaign to Kings Mountain but was not in that battle. He knows that in the neighborhood he was reputed to have been often in the service during the war and a good friend to his country. I recollect that after said McGaughy returned home from South Carolina, then the southern seat of the war he was called Captain McGaughy.
Jeremiah (his mark as an X) Alexander
James B Wallace, Judge of the County Court of Lawrence County Alabama do hereby certify that Agnes Alexander and Jerimiah Alexander who have signed the foregoing deposition are credible persons living in this county that they swore to subscribe the same before me. June 16, 1838 And this said court does hereby declare their opinion after this investigation of this matter and after finishing the investigation prescribed by the War Department, that this above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as an officer as he states, and the court further certify that it appears to the court John Stevenson by whom the forgoing certificate is signed is a clergyman resident in the said County of Lawrence and that George McGaughy and Samuel J Wilson who have also signed the same as resident citizens of said County, an credible person and that their Statements are entitled to credit.
James B Wallace Judge of County Court of Lawrence County.
State of Alabama Lawrence County
I John Gregg Clark of the County Court of foresaid county do hereby certify that their foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel McGaughy for a pension (?). In testimony where of I have XXX my house and deal of office at office the 16th day of June 1883.
John Gregg Clark
State of Alabama Lawrence County June 15th, 1833
On this day appeared in XXXX court before the Judge of the County Court of Lawrence County now sitting now sitting Samuel McGaughy a resident of the county of Lawrence and State aforwarded age near seventy years 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 passed June 7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated. ~ I was born in York County, State of Pennsylvania on the 15th day of July 1763 according to the information given me by my parents and the record in their family Bible. ~ At nine years of age my father moved to the Holstein River, now Washington County Virginia. ~ I was living in a Fort when the Revolutionary war began. In the Spring of 1778 the Indians made War and my father was called on and I substituted in his place and served a month as a guard under Captain John Shelby on Clinch River. ~ In August of the same year I served in the same capacity at the same place an month under Captain James Montgomery both these on foot. (1 &2) ~ (3) In the first of March 1779 I volunteered and enrolled myself as such under Captain James Montgomery to go against the Chicka (maggy?) Indians their at war with the whites. Six hundred troops were raised commanded by Colonel Evan Shelby XXX (TEN?) We were joined by three hundred regular troops commanded by Col. Montgomery of Virginia. We proceeded down the Tennessee (?) in Boats to their towns new the XXX. We landed destroyed their towns, killed some of their men. I took a number of their women and children prisoner. Col. Montgomery marched to join Gen. Clark at Illinois and Col. Shelby returned home. I got home about the middle of May. I performed this service on foot. Shortly after this went a survey (?) of the Virginia and North Carolina line was made by (commissioners or campaigners?) and my father’s residence was found on the Carolina side now Sullivan County Tennessee and the service hereafter mentioned were rendered now North Carolina and under her laws.
4th, In the fall of 1779 the settlements of Kentucky being very much harassed by the Indians, I again took the field as a volunteer under Capt. John McKee of Rockbridge County State of Virginia, as a mounted Rifleman, became one of his spies and served in that capacity seven months and was discharged. 5thly 5th (?) In the summer of 1780 as well as I can recollect, I again volunteered under Capt. Andrew Cowan to go against the British and Tories in South Carolina, as a Mounted Rifleman. Colonel Isaac Shelby commanded this expedition. We marched to South Carolina and then joined General Charles McDowall, Chief in Command. I was in several skirmishes, two hard battles XXX on the Tyger (?) River and the other on North Pacolet (?) River. We were successful in both. I was one of those who stormed an old for and took one hundred Tories and one British officer prisoner. The British officer was sent to train and discipline the Tories. I was discharged after a tour of four months.
6thly In the fall of 1780 as well as I can now recollect, the British and Tories under Ferguson, drove General McDowall over the mountains to the western waters. Almost every man was called on to XXX return. Col. Shelby from Sullivan County Col. Sevier from Washington County North Carolina and Col. Campbell from Washington County Virginia each at the head of a Mounted Rifle Regiment. I was attached to the Company commander Captain John Pemberton in the Regiment of Col. Shelby. Colonel Campbell was appointed to take the Chief Command of our forces and we went in pursuit of the enemy who had retracted to Kings Mountain when he made a stand we attached them, killed Ferguson their Commander and killed and took mostly the whole army. In this campaign I served as volunteer Mounted Rifleman six weeks.
7th Some short time after the above campaign I volunteered as a private under Captain Andrew Cowan and went a tour in the Mounted Rifleman service against the Cherokee Indians. Col. Rupell of Sullivan County commanded the Regiment to which we where attached, we joined Col. Arthur Campbell of Virginia who took the Chief Command. We proceeded to their towns on the Tennessee and French Broad Rivers, destroyed them and killed many of their warriors. They (asked?) for peace and we returned home in February or March 1881. I was detained in this service for four months as well as I can now remember.
8th, In the month of April 1781 Thomas Wallace and myself raised by voluntary XXX a large company of mounted infantry for four months service. Wallace was elected Captain and I was chosen Lieutenant. Isaac Shelby commanded the Regiment as First Colonel and Isaac Bledsoe as Lieutenant Col. As soon as our forces could be organized and in the same month we marched to the seat of the War in South Carolina and joined General Green who was there in Command. Then we were sent in advance of Gen. Green, to General Marion. We continued with Marion our time out. Col. Shelby and Captain Wallace being called home on some account Col. Bledsoe took the command of the Regiment and I was appointed Captain in place of Wallace. General Marion made an animated appeal to our patriotism and requested that we would remain with him longer. I as Captain XXX up for volunteers and obtained a sufficient number to continue a company and we agreed to continue in service two months longer believing that time would close the war at the end of the said two months service. We were discharged. I will further state that when Col. Shelby went home, many of the men when with him and by that means the number of Regiments was restricted and my Company was attached to Colonel Sevier’s Regiment from whom I received a commission as Captain and I believe the enclosed defaced papers to be the same which I have found among my old papers since I made my former declarations. In relation to its being the commission attended to I cannot speak with any degree of certainty it being so much defaced as to be almost entirely illegible. I only offer it for inspection to be received in the investigation of my claim to the justice of my country for its worth.
In this last tour of two months service we pursued the British and Tories at General Green commanded us and that the Eutaw Springs we fought the most bloody battle I was in during the war. We gained a complete victory over the enemy as well as I remember this war in the month of September in 1781. In this battle Col. Washington commanded our light house (or horse?) and General Marion the troop of militia I was in. This tour of service, including the six months in actual service in the field and the time XXX for marching to and from the seat of war was eight months.
It may be that in the references I have made to dates and the perils of the war in which I served and account of lapse of time and decay of mind and body there may be found some slight errors but they are all unintentional if any exist. Whether I received discharge from all the tours of service above mentioned I cannot recollect for some I know I had discharge but they are all lost so that they cannot be found. I have no recollection of having a commission as an officer during my service except the enclosed paper XXX which is presented to the department under the circumstances above state. I have no knowledge of any person within my XXX by whom I can prove all my services. Agnes Alexander my sister know that I was in the service and Jerimiah (?Agnes’ husband’s name was Archibald) Alexander was with me one tour.
(1?) I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and I declare the State of Pennsylvania on the 15th day of July 1763.
2. Have you any record of your age and where is it?
Answer: I have in the family Bible of my father, now at my house.
3. When were you living when you entered the Revolutionary Service and where do you now live?
Answer: I lived in Sullivan County as stated in my declaration. Moved from there to (Seiver?) and lived four years then XXX on the French Broad. I lived there until 1818. I then moved to Lawrence County Alabama where I know live.
4. How were you called into service, were you a volunteer, drafted or a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
Answer: I was a volunteer in all the tours except two as stated in my declaration.
5. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served, such continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer: This question is as fully answered in my declaration as I can possibly recollect now.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so what was XXXXXXXXXXXX?
Answer: I have answered this question in my declaration as fully as I could do by a representation of what I have there stated. I recollect nothing more in relation to the subject.
7. State the name of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify to your character for verification and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolutionary.
Answer: The Reverand John Stevenson, Colonel George McGaughy, Samuel J Wilson Esqr and almost all the public men of this county.
And this said court does hereby declare their opinion after this investigation of this matter and after finishing the investigation prescribed by the War Department, that this above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as an officer as he states, and the court further certify that it appears to the court John Stevenson by whom the forgoing certificate is signed is a clergyman resident in the said County of Lawrence and that George McGaughy and Samuel J Wilson who have also signed the same as resident citizens of said County, an credible person and that their Statements are entitled to credit.
Samuel B Wallace Esq
The deposition of Agnes Alexander as the sister of the forefoing applicant for a pension taken in open court before the above named James B Wallace Judge as XXX taken on the 15th day of June 1883.
The deposed states that she knows said Samuel McGaughy her brother was out in the service many campaigns and tours of duty during the Revolutionary War and that she had to work in the field to make bread for the family in consequence of his absence. He was scarcely ever at home. She does not recollect the different battles, 4 XXX Kings Mountain that was XXX us and I recollect that so many of our neighbors were deployed there, my mother experienced great uneasiness about my brother Samuel who was then in the service but I am younger than my brother but I recollect distinctly that he was out against the Indians once on a long tour, and often against the British and Tories.
Agnes Alexander
Jeremiah (?) Alexander appeared in open court and makes oath that during the Revolutionary War he lived in the County adjoining to the residence of the foregoing Samuel McGaughy. He knew him then and knows that he was in the service, this applicant was with him in the campaign to Kings Mountain but was not in that battle. He knows that in the neighborhood he was reputed to have been often in the service during the war and a good friend to his country. I recollect that after said McGaughy returned home from South Carolina, then the southern seat of the war he was called Captain McGaughy.
Jeremiah (his mark as an X) Alexander
James B Wallace, Judge of the County Court of Lawrence County Alabama do hereby certify that Agnes Alexander and Jerimiah Alexander who have signed the foregoing deposition are credible persons living in this county that they swore to subscribe the same before me. June 16, 1838 And this said court does hereby declare their opinion after this investigation of this matter and after finishing the investigation prescribed by the War Department, that this above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as an officer as he states, and the court further certify that it appears to the court John Stevenson by whom the forgoing certificate is signed is a clergyman resident in the said County of Lawrence and that George McGaughy and Samuel J Wilson who have also signed the same as resident citizens of said County, an credible person and that their Statements are entitled to credit.
James B Wallace Judge of County Court of Lawrence County.
State of Alabama Lawrence County
I John Gregg Clark of the County Court of foresaid county do hereby certify that their foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel McGaughy for a pension (?). In testimony where of I have XXX my house and deal of office at office the 16th day of June 1883.
John Gregg Clark
On this day appeared in XXXX court before the Judge of the County Court of Lawrence County now sitting now sitting Samuel McGaughy a resident of the county of Lawrence and State aforwarded age near seventy years 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 passed June 7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated. ~ I was born in York County, State of Pennsylvania on the 15th day of July 1763 according to the information given me by my parents and the record in their family Bible. ~ At nine years of age my father moved to the Holstein River, now Washington County Virginia. ~ I was living in a Fort when the Revolutionary war began. In the Spring of 1778 the Indians made War and my father was called on and I substituted in his place and served a month as a guard under Captain John Shelby on Clinch River. ~ In August of the same year I served in the same capacity at the same place an month under Captain James Montgomery both these on foot. (1 &2) ~ (3) In the first of March 1779 I volunteered and enrolled myself as such under Captain James Montgomery to go against the Chicka (maggy?) Indians their at war with the whites. Six hundred troops were raised commanded by Colonel Evan Shelby XXX (TEN?) We were joined by three hundred regular troops commanded by Col. Montgomery of Virginia. We proceeded down the Tennessee (?) in Boats to their towns new the XXX. We landed destroyed their towns, killed some of their men. I took a number of their women and children prisoner. Col. Montgomery marched to join Gen. Clark at Illinois and Col. Shelby returned home. I got home about the middle of May. I performed this service on foot. Shortly after this went a survey (?) of the Virginia and North Carolina line was made by (commissioners or campaigners?) and my father’s residence was found on the Carolina side now Sullivan County Tennessee and the service hereafter mentioned were rendered now North Carolina and under her laws.
4th, In the fall of 1779 the settlements of Kentucky being very much harassed by the Indians, I again took the field as a volunteer under Capt. John McKee of Rockbridge County State of Virginia, as a mounted Rifleman, became one of his spies and served in that capacity seven months and was discharged. 5thly 5th (?) In the summer of 1780 as well as I can recollect, I again volunteered under Capt. Andrew Cowan to go against the British and Tories in South Carolina, as a Mounted Rifleman. Colonel Isaac Shelby commanded this expedition. We marched to South Carolina and then joined General Charles McDowall, Chief in Command. I was in several skirmishes, two hard battles XXX on the Tyger (?) River and the other on North Pacolet (?) River. We were successful in both. I was one of those who stormed an old for and took one hundred Tories and one British officer prisoner. The British officer was sent to train and discipline the Tories. I was discharged after a tour of four months.
6thly In the fall of 1780 as well as I can now recollect, the British and Tories under Ferguson, drove General McDowall over the mountains to the western waters. Almost every man was called on to XXX return. Col. Shelby from Sullivan County Col. Sevier from Washington County North Carolina and Col. Campbell from Washington County Virginia each at the head of a Mounted Rifle Regiment. I was attached to the Company commander Captain John Pemberton in the Regiment of Col. Shelby. Colonel Campbell was appointed to take the Chief Command of our forces and we went in pursuit of the enemy who had retracted to Kings Mountain when he made a stand we attached them, killed Ferguson their Commander and killed and took mostly the whole army. In this campaign I served as volunteer Mounted Rifleman six weeks.
7th Some short time after the above campaign I volunteered as a private under Captain Andrew Cowan and went a tour in the Mounted Rifleman service against the Cherokee Indians. Col. Rupell of Sullivan County commanded the Regiment to which we where attached, we joined Col. Arthur Campbell of Virginia who took the Chief Command. We proceeded to their towns on the Tennessee and French Broad Rivers, destroyed them and killed many of their warriors. They (asked?) for peace and we returned home in February or March 1881. I was detained in this service for four months as well as I can now remember.
8th, In the month of April 1781 Thomas Wallace and myself raised by voluntary XXX a large company of mounted infantry for four months service. Wallace was elected Captain and I was chosen Lieutenant. Isaac Shelby commanded the Regiment as First Colonel and Isaac Bledsoe as Lieutenant Col. As soon as our forces could be organized and in the same month we marched to the seat of the War in South Carolina and joined General Green who was there in Command. Then we were sent in advance of Gen. Green, to General Marion. We continued with Marion our time out. Col. Shelby and Captain Wallace being called home on some account Col. Bledsoe took the command of the Regiment and I was appointed Captain in place of Wallace. General Marion made an animated appeal to our patriotism and requested that we would remain with him longer. I as Captain XXX up for volunteers and obtained a sufficient number to continue a company and we agreed to continue in service two months longer believing that time would close the war at the end of the said two months service. We were discharged. I will further state that when Col. Shelby went home, many of the men when with him and by that means the number of Regiments was restricted and my Company was attached to Colonel Sevier’s Regiment from whom I received a commission as Captain and I believe the enclosed defaced papers to be the same which I have found among my old papers since I made my former declarations. In relation to its being the commission attended to I cannot speak with any degree of certainty it being so much defaced as to be almost entirely illegible. I only offer it for inspection to be received in the investigation of my claim to the justice of my country for its worth.
In this last tour of two months service we pursued the British and Tories at General Green commanded us and that the Eutaw Springs we fought the most bloody battle I was in during the war. We gained a complete victory over the enemy as well as I remember this war in the month of September in 1781. In this battle Col. Washington commanded our light house (or horse?) and General Marion the troop of militia I was in. This tour of service, including the six months in actual service in the field and the time XXX for marching to and from the seat of war was eight months.
It may be that in the references I have made to dates and the perils of the war in which I served and account of lapse of time and decay of mind and body there may be found some slight errors but they are all unintentional if any exist. Whether I received discharge from all the tours of service above mentioned I cannot recollect for some I know I had discharge but they are all lost so that they cannot be found. I have no recollection of having a commission as an officer during my service except the enclosed paper XXX which is presented to the department under the circumstances above state. I have no knowledge of any person within my XXX by whom I can prove all my services. Agnes Alexander my sister know that I was in the service and Jerimiah (?Agnes’ husband’s name was Archibald) Alexander was with me one tour.
(1?) I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and I declare the State of Pennsylvania on the 15th day of July 1763.
2. Have you any record of your age and where is it?
Answer: I have in the family Bible of my father, now at my house.
3. When were you living when you entered the Revolutionary Service and where do you now live?
Answer: I lived in Sullivan County as stated in my declaration. Moved from there to (Seiver?) and lived four years then XXX on the French Broad. I lived there until 1818. I then moved to Lawrence County Alabama where I know live.
4. How were you called into service, were you a volunteer, drafted or a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
Answer: I was a volunteer in all the tours except two as stated in my declaration.
5. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served, such continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer: This question is as fully answered in my declaration as I can possibly recollect now.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so what was XXXXXXXXXXXX?
Answer: I have answered this question in my declaration as fully as I could do by a representation of what I have there stated. I recollect nothing more in relation to the subject.
7. State the name of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify to your character for verification and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolutionary.
Answer: The Reverand John Stevenson, Colonel George McGaughy, Samuel J Wilson Esqr and almost all the public men of this county.
And this said court does hereby declare their opinion after this investigation of this matter and after finishing the investigation prescribed by the War Department, that this above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as an officer as he states, and the court further certify that it appears to the court John Stevenson by whom the forgoing certificate is signed is a clergyman resident in the said County of Lawrence and that George McGaughy and Samuel J Wilson who have also signed the same as resident citizens of said County, an credible person and that their Statements are entitled to credit.
Samuel B Wallace Esq
The deposition of Agnes Alexander as the sister of the forefoing applicant for a pension taken in open court before the above named James B Wallace Judge as XXX taken on the 15th day of June 1883.
The deposed states that she knows said Samuel McGaughy her brother was out in the service many campaigns and tours of duty during the Revolutionary War and that she had to work in the field to make bread for the family in consequence of his absence. He was scarcely ever at home. She does not recollect the different battles, 4 XXX Kings Mountain that was XXX us and I recollect that so many of our neighbors were deployed there, my mother experienced great uneasiness about my brother Samuel who was then in the service but I am younger than my brother but I recollect distinctly that he was out against the Indians once on a long tour, and often against the British and Tories.
Agnes Alexander
Jeremiah (?) Alexander appeared in open court and makes oath that during the Revolutionary War he lived in the County adjoining to the residence of the foregoing Samuel McGaughy. He knew him then and knows that he was in the service, this applicant was with him in the campaign to Kings Mountain but was not in that battle. He knows that in the neighborhood he was reputed to have been often in the service during the war and a good friend to his country. I recollect that after said McGaughy returned home from South Carolina, then the southern seat of the war he was called Captain McGaughy.
Jeremiah (his mark as an X) Alexander
James B Wallace, Judge of the County Court of Lawrence County Alabama do hereby certify that Agnes Alexander and Jerimiah Alexander who have signed the foregoing deposition are credible persons living in this county that they swore to subscribe the same before me. June 16, 1838 And this said court does hereby declare their opinion after this investigation of this matter and after finishing the investigation prescribed by the War Department, that this above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as an officer as he states, and the court further certify that it appears to the court John Stevenson by whom the forgoing certificate is signed is a clergyman resident in the said County of Lawrence and that George McGaughy and Samuel J Wilson who have also signed the same as resident citizens of said County, an credible person and that their Statements are entitled to credit.
James B Wallace Judge of County Court of Lawrence County.
State of Alabama Lawrence County
I John Gregg Clark of the County Court of foresaid county do hereby certify that their foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel McGaughy for a pension (?). In testimony where of I have XXX my house and deal of office at office the 16th day of June 1883.
John Gregg Clark
Inscription
NORTH CAROLINA
CAPT
NC MILITIA
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
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