Revolutionary War Pension Application Abstract for Benjamin Pars, Sr., Hall, Georgia http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/hall/military/revwar/parks_ben.txt ==================================================================== USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: Mary Lu Johnson ==================================================================== May 2003 Extracted by Mary Lu Johnson PARKS - Pensions PARKS, BENJAMIN SR, RWS 31897, NC Line 13 Sep 1777, Virginia: Certification by George Stavely that Ben Parks of Bedford, VA, subscribed to the Oath of Allegiance. 10 ?June 1780, Certification by Mark Armstrong and Griffith Ruthrford stating Benjamin Parks was appointed Ensign of the Company of Militia in the Surry Region on about 10 February 1780, Surry Co, NC. 5 Nov 1832, Hall Co, GA, deposition of Benjamin Parks, Sr before Judges John Nichols, Samuel Finley & Thomas L. Tate. Benjamin Parks Sr age 86 the 25th day of March last. Entered U.S. service month of September 1777 for 3 months' tour but orders were countermanded before attached to Regiment, and returned home. Oath of allegiance in Bedford County Virginia where he lived. Shortly after, deponent removed to Surray County, NC and was drafted again in April 1780 for 3 months but served 4 months. Was marched to Ramsours Mill, reached their the day after an engagement had taken place between Gen'l Rutherford's army and the Tories which Tories lost; several killed and 60 prisoners taken. Deponent was one of the guards to take prisoners to Salisbury, NC where he remained 2 weeks. Was then marched to mouth of Rocky River, remained there a day. Was then marched into what is called the Scotch Settlement near the Cheraw hills. Deponent placed on night picket duty, and took a tory returning home from the British camp. Then marched to Cheraws and took 60 British prisoners in their boats without resistance on their part, also 160 stand of arms at this place, deponent thinks. Here he received the appointment of Ensign from Col Armstrong, which certificate is attached marked 'A'. Marched from there to Rugeley's Mills where their Capt., Absalom Bostwick, quit the army and went home. Deponent then promoted to Lieutenant in the Company. Deponent was during this four months' tour under the command of Capt Bostwick, Col Armstrong and Genl Rutherford. After reaching the Mills he learned his family was likely to be in a distressed situation, so hired a substitute of his own rank whose name he cannot recollect and went home. Remained there but a short time when he was called on by Col Armstrong to raise a company to march to King's Mountain, which he did and took command of it as Captain and marched with the company one days march when he was called back by sickness in his family. After being at home 2 or 3 days, deponent received intelligence that 200 tories were at the Shallowford of the Yadkins River so dispatched an express to Capt Francis & Maj Clod who were on the march to Kings Mountain with 100 men. Deponent turned out himself and collected about 20 men. Col Gorden of Wilks County came to our assistance with about 20 men, and were joined by Capt Francis & Maj Cloyd. Marched towards the ford of the River, but met the tories about a mile from the ford and defeated them killing sixteen, wounding some, and took three prisoners and forty horses. Capt. Francis was killed in this engagement & his son wounded. Deponent acted in the capacity of Captain. Deponent went home and stayed but a short time when learning the tories were doing considerable mischief raised his company again and went in pursuit to the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, then back to the Yadkin but could not come up with them. Then joined the army when Col Allen & Hearndon Maj Franklin and Genl Lenoir had command of about 150 men. Started to join Genl Green but received orders to return home and protect the settlements. Continued to serve in the capacity of Captain until the end of the war; cannot say positively but thinks to the best of his knowledge he served in that capacity two years though never received any commission. Deponent states he was born in King George County, State of Virginia 25 March 1745, that he has a record of his age at home [mentions recorded in his father's bible in a similar statement made 28 January 1834*]. Lived 18 years in Burk County, NC after the war then moved to Haywood County, NC for 9 years, and then to Franklin Co, GA 7 years, then to Hall County, GA where he now lives. That he never received a discharge, that he never received a commission. Wit: John Nichols, JJC s/s Benjamin Parks, Sr. James Whitten, M.G., and Henry Parks Jr Hall Co. GA testify as to credibility of Benjamin Parks, Sr. *Statement 28 Jan 1834 also mentions those who know him in his neighbourhood: Stephen Palmer, Esq, James Stephens, John Hollingshed, Rev. James Whitten, Henry Parks Jun, Joshua Baker. Undated: State of Georgia, Hall County We the undersigned hereby Certify that we have been personally acquainted with Benjamin Parks, Sr for many years during which time he has been an acceptable and highly respectable member of the Baptist Church, and we further certify that he is a man of the most undoubted veracity and is considered by all who know him to have been a Soldier of the Revolution. William Lindsey, JP; James Whitten, M.G.; Philip M. Byrn, Col; James Floyd, ?Maj; Lewis Clark, ?Maj; Jesse Dobbs, J.P.; John Whelchel J.P.; W. P. Rice 18 September 1832, affidavit of Henry Parks, Sen states it is his understanding Benjamin Parks acted as a captain in the Revolutionary Army for a period of two years. Hall Co., GA, Private &Ensign in Capt Bostwick, Col Armstrong, NC Line, 10 months, allowed pension $53.33 per annum beginning 4 March 1831. Paid to 4 March 1839, agt notified 19 Nov 1839. Letter to Col. G. L. Edwards, Comm of Pensions, Washington City, D.C. Dahlonega June 30th 1847 Sir, I am requested by Benjamin Parks Jun to inquire the amount of the balance due from Government to the heirs of his father Benjamin Parks Sr. who was a Pensioner and died on the 11th day of July 1839 said Parks resided in Hall County in this State and drew his Pension at Savannah. Please return me an answer to this please. Respectfully, Your obedient Servant, W. M. Varnum 20 April 1852, State of Georgia, Lumpkin County, Benjamin Parks appointed George H. Jones of Washington City to inquire as to why his father Benjamin Parks Senr, a "private Lieut and Capt" in the revolution was not allowed a larger pension.