Rev. War Pension Application: James Adams, 1832/1833: Elbert County, Georgia Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John E. Davis, davisje@erols.com ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** State of Georgia ) Elbert County ) SS On this eighteenth day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty two personally came & appeared before me Dilliard Herndon:---------a justice of the Inferior Court in & for said County, James Adams a resident of said County aged about seventy nine years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the follow- in declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June the seventh eighteen hundred & thirty two. - To wit That he enlisted in the army of the United States as a minute man in the latter part of the year 1777 or in the early part of the year 1778; he served about five months or more personally & about one month by his substitute Thomas Adams making in all at least six months as a minute man. And he afterwards served at least four months person- ally as a volunteer making in all at least ten months.-Deponent was born the 18th day of October 1753 in Albemarle County Virginia. he left the record of his age he thinks in Fluvannah County Virginia in a bible which he thinks one of his brothers has taken off to Kentucky probably deponent has no record of his age in this State but well recollects it as recorded in said bible.-Deponent was living in Fluvannah County, Virginia when he there enlisted as a minute man under Captain Roger Thompson Col. Charles Lewis was the chief officer of the minute men with whom he served. he marched from Fluvan -nah County to Albemarle Court house where he was stationed about ten or twelve days thence he marched to Page's ware house a small town on the Potomac where he was stationed about two or three weeks; thence he marched down the Potomac to a small town called New Castle where he was stationed (page 2) eight or ten days, thence he marched to old Williamsburg where he was stationed six or eight weeks where they hoped to have taken Governor Dunmore but he fled & joined the British Army at Gwin or Guyns Island. from Williamsburgh deponent marched to Col. Burwel's ferry on James River, where he was stationed about seven or eight weeks, thence he was called to go against the Indians. deponent spent some time in the campaign against the Indians but does not recollect how long before he was permitted to go home to see his family on furlough. when his furlough expired he got his younger brother Thomas Adams (whose affidavit is herewith transmitted) to take his place for the balance of his term as deponent had a family & said Thomas had none. Said Thomas Adams was received as his substitute & served the balance of deponents term.- Some time after the termination of the aforesaid campaign but deponent does not recollect how long, deponent removed to Charlotte County Virginia where he enlisted as a volunteer under Captain Walker Daniel, the time & circumstances were as follows to wit. Wallace & Tarlton with their forces were within about twenty or thirty miles of General Greens army & General Green's army was within about ten or twelve miles of Coal's ferry on Stanton River when General Green called for a reinforcement; old & young turned out volunteers at Coles ferry & deponent was in the number. a battle was expected to be fought at said Coles ferry. General Green sent for said volunteers to join his army with all speed which was accor -dingly done & said volunteers including deponent were (-------illegible------) officers. Walker Daniel was their captain the other officers as follows, to wit Col. Cox, General Huger or Hugel, General Stephens (page 3) & General Geeen who had the command in chief This army was at that time composed of Regular Militia & volunteers, Col Lee & Col. Washington with their cavalry were there & many Catawba Indians. Deponent cound General Greens army as aforesaid at Hallifax Court house from which place he was marched in pursuit of Wallace towards Hugh Dobbins, a place called the red house. said Dobbins was a noted Tory but before Genl Green got to Dobbs he heard that Wallace had gone to Hillsborough he turned after him but before he got to Hillsbor -rough he heard that Wallace had gone towards Gilford Court house on the South side of how river. General Green pursued on the North side of Haw River & headed Wallace near Gilford Court house where a severe battle was fought. The day before the battle General Green ordered Lieutenant Williams to take deponent & about forty or fifty men & take chage of some British prisoners & carry them to the barracks in Albemarle County Virginia (which the great number of tories rendered a dangerous interprize). The prisoners were accordingly delivered & deponent received a discharge from Lieutenant Williams in compliance with the orders of General Green; the first night after deponent left General Greens army he heard the tories firing on Genl. Greens baggage wagons. Deponent was an orderly sergeant in the volunteer campaign aforesaid. he has lost or mislaid all his papers relative to his said military service and knows of no person in this section of the country by whom he can prove his services or aforesaid facts (illegible) he has proved by said Thomas Adams. Deponent was living in Charlotte County Virginia when (illegible) was made, he removed from there (page 4) back to Fluvannah County Virginia from whence he removed to said Elbert County Georgia on or about the first of January 1799 where he has lived ever since. Deponent further says that he is not on the pension list of any state. Deponent says he is so nearly blind that he cannot see how to keep a path or distinguish a white man from a black man. Deponent hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State. Deponent refers to James Riley of said County of Elbert an old revolutionary soldier & an exhorter of the Methodist Episcopal church for twenty five years or more & still continues to be on & also to Col. William Johnston Sheriff of this County to whom he is known in his present neighbourhood & who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. Deponent is very infirm & it would be extremely difficult if impossible to attend court.- Sworn to & subscribed before me one of the justices of the his Inferior Court of Elbert County. Georgia this 18th October 1832. James X Adams Dilliard Herndon JIC mark I Benjamin W. Fortson do hereby certify that Dilliard Herndon before whom the Foregoing affidavit was made is one of the Justices of the Inferior Court of the County of Elbert of which court I am clerk in testimony of which I hereunto set my hand & seal of office. This the 28th of November AD 1832. Benjamin W. Fortson, Clerk ------------------------------------------------------------- Georgia ) Superior Court Elbert County ) September term 1832 Personally came into open court Thomas Adams, a revolutionary soldier who being duly sworn on his oath saith that soon after the declaration of independence his brother James Adams, went into the army of the United States as a minute man & served some time but does not recollect how long, but before his tour of service was ended he came home on a furlough & he being a married man, he got deponent who was younger & single to go & take his place which deponent did & joined the army at hog island near Williamsburgh under Captain Roger Thompson & Captain Nicholas Lewis Soon after that, the army removed to Williamsburgh Virginia and from thence to New Castle where this deponent was discharged, at the expiration of the term for which said James Adams had enlisted, having served in his place about one month. Deponent further saith that said James Adams is nearly blind & very old & infirm being about seventy eight or nine years old. Deponent afterwards heard that said James Adams had gone into the army again but does not know it was so as James had moved. Sworn to & subscribed in open Court this Thomas Adams 19th September 1832. B. Houston Clk I believe the facts stated in the above affidavit to be true. Wm H Crawford JSCNC ------------------------------------------------------------- Georgia ) We James Riley an exhorter & Elbert County ) William Johnston Sheriff of this County both of us residing in said County of Elbert do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Adams who applies for a pension from the United States as a revolu- tionary soldier & who has subscribed the annexed declaration & sworn to it and we believe him to be seventy nine years old & we further certify that he is respected & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & we concur in that opinion & believe that such opinion is general in the neighbourhood & we have never heard any one say that he was not. -- And we believe him to be a man of veracity Sworn to & subscribed before me this 18th Octr 1832 his James X Riley mark Dilliard Herndon JIC William Johnston I the said Dilliard Herndon justice of the Inferior Court in & for said County of Elbert do hereby certify that it is my opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the inter rogatories presented by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolu -tionary soldier & served as he states - And it further appears to me that James Riley who has signed the preceding certificate is an exhorter of the Methodist Episcopal church resident in this county of Elbert & that William Johnston who also signed the same is a resident of said Elbert County & is a credible man & that their statement is entitled to full credit as is also that of deponent James Adams. done this 18th October 1832 Dilliard Herndon JIC ----------------------------------------------------------------------- State of Georgia ) Elbert County ) SS On this nineteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three - personally appeared before me Dillard Herndon a justice of the Inferior Court in and for Elbert County and State of Georgia, James Adams aged Seventy Nine years eight months and a few days. 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: That he volunteered into the Service of the United States for Six months in the latter part of the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy five or in the forepart of the Year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six under Captain Roger Thompson in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Charles Lewis, that at the time he entered into said Service he resided in Fluvannah County State of Virginia, marched from Fluvannah County to Albemarle Court House State of Virginia Where he was stationed ten or twelve days, from thence marched to Pages Ware House, a Small Village on the Potomac River, where he was stationed two or three weeks, from thence down the Potomac River to a Small Village called New Castle, where he was stationed eight or ten days, from thence he marched to Old Williamsburg, State of Virginia, Where he was Stati- oned Six or Eight weeks, Where they hoped to have taken Governor Dunmore but he fled and joined the British Army at Gwyns or Guins Island. from Williamsburg he marched to Colonel Burwells ferry on James River Where he was Stationed Seven or eight Weeks, from thence he marched against the Indians. after Serving five months in the Army he was permitted to return home on furlough, after the expiration of his furlough he hired his Brother Thomas Adams to Serve for him the Balance of the time. That he also Volunteered into the Service of the United States as a Sergeant for four Months on the -------- day of February Seventeen hundred and Eighty one under Captain Walker Daniel of the Continentals, Commanded by Colonel Cox, General Huger, General Stephens, all under the command of General Green of the Regular (page 2) Army, that he resided in Charlotte County State of Virginia when he entered into said Service, that he joined General Greens Army at Coles Ferry on the Staunton River where he was put under the Command of Captain Walker Daniel. That he march from thence to Hallifax Court House in the state of Virginia, march from thence towards Hugh Dobbins a place called the Red House in pursuit of the British under the command of Lord Cornwallis, hearing that the British Army had taken the direction towards Hillsborough in the State of North Carolina, turned in that direction after him, but before arriving at that place, understood the British had gone towards Guilford in the State of North Carolina on the South side of Haw River the Armerican Army pursued on the North side of said River and headed the British Army near Guilford Court House, where a severe battle was fought by the two Armies on the 15th of March 1781. the day before the battle General Green ordered Lieutenant Williams to take deponent and about forty or fifty men and take charge of some British prisoners and carry them to the Barracks in Albemarle County State of Virginia, at Which place he was discharged after having served four months as a Sergeant in the Army of the United States. Making in all nine months Service in the United States Service during the Revolutionary War, to wit five months as a private and four months as a Sergeant, and that he served in the Army Commanded by General Green, Composed of Regulars Militia and volunteers together with Some Catawba Indians, but cannot distinctly describe the different Regiments or Companies by Name that he knew General Green, General Huger, General Stephens, and Colonel Lee and Washington of the Cavalry, that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person except Thomas Adams Whose affidavit is hereunto assined, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, that he was born in Albemarle County State of Virginia on the Eighteenth day of October Seventeen hun- dred and fifty three, that he has no record of his age now in his possessi- on, but well recollects of there being a record of his age in a Bible which was left in Fluvannah County State of Virginia When first called into Service and in Charlotte County State of Virginia, When last called into Service (page 3) that he was living in Charlotte County State of Virginia at the close of the Revolution, removed from thence to Fluvannah County in Said State, from Whence he Removed to Elbert County State of Georgia about the first of January Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine Where he now lives, and has resided there ever since, that he Volunteered into the Service the first time, the Second and last time he Volunteered into the Service, he States that the names of some of the Regular Officers Where he served Were, Captain Walker Daniel, General Huger, General Green Colonels Lee and Washington. the last Service which he performed & that he Served With the Army Commanded by General Green composed of Continental and Militia Regiments, but cannot recollect them dis- tinctly by name; and that the first time which Served in the United States Service, he only Served With the Virginia Militia and Volunteers, says that the first time he entered the Service he recvd no discharge in- consequence of his hiring his Brother to Serve out the balance of his time the Second and last time that he entered the Service he received a discharge given by Lieutenant Williams which has either been lost, or mislaid so that he cannot come at it; he states that the names of persons to Whom he is known in his present Neighborhood, and Who can testify as to his Character for Veracity, and there belief, of his Services as a Soldier of the Revolution, are William Johnston Esquire Sheriff of Elbert County, James Riley an old Revolutionary Soldier, Dilliard Herndon one of the Judges of the Inferior Court for said County and Colonel David Dobbs, Staff officer of the State. He hereby relinquishes every Claim Whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of Agency of any State. Sworn to and Subscribed, his the day and year aforesaid } James X Adams mark Dilliard Herndon JIC We Robert L. Edwards a Clergyman, resident in Elbert County and ????? George and David Dobbs ???????????????? same place, hereby Certify that We are Well acquainted With James Adams, Who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration. (page 4) that We believe him to be Seventy nine Years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood were he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that We concur in that opinion Sword to, and Subscribed, the day and year aforesaid R L Edwards before me David Dobbs Dilliard Herndon JIC And I Dilliard Herndon one of the Justices of the Inferior Court in and for Elbert County State of Georgia do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant Was a Revolutionary Soldier, and Served as he states, And I do further Certify, that it appears to me that Robert L. Edwards, who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the County of Elbert State of Georgia and that David Dobbs, who has also signed the Same, is a resident in the same place and is a Creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to Credit, And I do further Certify that the above named applicant Cannot, from blindness and other bodily infermity attend the said Inferior Court. Given under my hand this Nineteenth day of June One thousand eight hundred and thirty three Dilliard Herndon JIC I Benjamin W. Fortson Clerk of the Inferior Court in and for Elbert County State of Georgia, do Hereby Certify that Dilliard Herndon before Whom the forgoing declaration and Certificate was executed, was at the time a Justice of the Inferior Court which is a Court of Record in and for Elbert County State of Georgia and that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his is genuine, And I do further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of James Adams for a pension In testimony Whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand and the seal of the Office (SEAL) This Seventeenth day of July one thousand eight Hundred and thirty three Benjamin W. Fortson Clk HEC Georgia Copyright (c) 2001 by John E. Davis. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. davisje@erols.com ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************