Anson County NcArchives History .....Deposition August 1, 1775 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Kermit Smith kermit61@bellsouth.net September 26, 2009, 11:29 am Deposition of JAMES COTTON concerning treatment of Loyalists in Anson County Cotton,James 1739-1785 August 13, 1775 Volume 10 pages 127-129 On Board His Majesty's Sloop Cruzier in Cape Fear River This 13th August 1775 N Carolina--Ss JAMES COTTON of Anson County being sworn of the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God. deposeth and saith that on the 2nd Tuesday of July last past, that a Company of people stiling themselves a Committee of the County of Anson to the number of about thirty met at the Court House of said county and did then choose Richard Farr and some other person to deliver the following meesage,viz That the Committee presented their Compliments to me and desired to see me on which I waited on them. SAMUEL SPENCER their chairman rose and said MR COLSON this committee has sent for you as one of the Burgesses of the County to acquaint you with our proceedings and to endeavor to get your approbation, the Resolves of the Continental Congress being by him read. Mr.THOMAS WADE stood up with an audible voice and read the Resolves of the Committee, then they demanded of me whether I could sign them and how I approved them. I would by no means be persuaded by them, but told them, in the Court House that they would all be deemed Rebels and their Principals would be hanged; they answered me that if I did not sign with them, they should be under the absolute necessity of proceeding against me according to the Directions ------page 128----- prescribed to them by the General Congress, but that they would give me two weeks to consider upon the matter; for which favour I returned them no thanks. I tarried some time with them in the said Court House to observe their proceedings which was as follows.viz. THOMAS WADE spoke and said Col. SPENCER you have been an old field officer,you shall be our Capt. General; SPENCER replied anything gentlemen that I can oblige you, I am ready. WILLIAM THOMAS another member of the Committee said, MARTIN has turned MR. WADE and COL. MEDLOCK out of Commission let us appoint them our Captains, which was accepted by them. Then I retired from their Company,a few minutes after one of the Committee came to me and told me heard RICHARD FARR just now say if he could get me before the Court House near South Carolina he would be my butcher. The Committee sending many newspapers and other writings to me by way of instruction during the sitting of the Court in order to convince me of my error til Friday night, when I left them and exhorted some them then present to desist from their wicked practices or they would repent when it was too late. On the 2nd Tuesday following very early in the morning a certain DAVID LOVE came into my bedroom(being admitted by one of my Servants)with a rifle gun, and all other necessary Accountrements and told me the Committee had sent for me, and that he was Captain of a Company which he had out of doors and was determined to carry me nolens volens, to them at Masks Ferry on the Peedee that morning. I arose out of my bed from my wife, and looking out of doors I saw WILLIAM LOVE, JOHN LUELLEN, WILLIAM THOMAS, SAMUEL CURTIS, WILLIAM COVENGTON, and some other persons whom I know not.All appeared as well accoutered as the former, they immediatly all rushed into the house and told me to prepare to go with them.I told them as they were all so well armed, I would carry my Weapons of War also, which they all forbid. I finding it was out of my power to withstand prepared to go with them in the meantime one of my Negroes in a fright was about to run away to alarm the neighborhood of their Proceedings when one of said Company espied him and Cocked his gun at him and swore he would kill him if he did not return. I hearing the uproar ran out of the house and rebuked the villain sharply for daring to present a loaded gun at my person about my house telling him I had a great mind to send him to Gaol, the new Captain me I must consider myself as a Prisoner and not as a Magistrate at which I persisted no further. ----- 129 ------ CAPTAIN LOVE immediately turned himself about to his Company and said now you see gentlemen that GOVERNOR MARTIN and his damned officers will set the Negroes on to kill us etc. Then we all immediately rode away. I appeared before them Chearful, we stopped about five miles from my house there I gave them some rum then we rode about ten miles further to the house of JOHN SMITH(adjutant)where I employed them drinking cyder, in the meantime I was informed by SMITH that four thousand men were coming from South Carolina to Masks Ferry to join the Anson Committee and to compel the officers of the County to join with them or to take them Prisoners and to carry them to Chas Town and that JOHN COLSON was already taken. I spoke to a man who lodged at SMITH'S one RICHARD DOWNS to walk aside and speak a word with me which he did; I then ran away from my Keepers know not that I have seen them since. I travelled as secretly as possible home that night but darst not tarry armed myself and slept in the woods adjacent. The next day MR. SMITH sent up my horse and saddle by his son who told me CAPTAIN LOVE had offered a large reward to anyone who would take me and tye me and carry me before the Committee, and that each of the men offered 5 pounds also.MAJOR SAM SNEAD'S son ISRAEL came and told me he was at Masks Ferry and that the South Carolina Rebels were only 219 and that there was 120 of our county aforesaid. I then sent orders to some of the Militia Captains to call their Companys together to surpress the present invasion, but through fear and treachery they disappointed me, about 40 men attended several days and nights to defend me during which time I suppose the Rebels laid my corn fields flat to the ground in many places, and there was an appearance of many men and horses by their tracks; on the Saturday evening following at one of my neighbors plantations I saw in the twilight of the evening a Man separate himself from about seven others without a hat, a handkerchief tyed about his head and made towards the place I stood with a Gun in his hand, imagining his design I fired at him whether I hit him I know not, immediately I heard them ride away etc. I have camped in the woods ever since until I arrived on board this vessel on Sunday last, and further saith not. (signed) JAMES COTTON N.B. I have often heard that the Rebels said they would burn up my house and mill, drive away my Negroes and stock and that I should not tarry them or my family. Additional Comments: This testimony by JAMES COTTON places RICHARD DOWNS AND JOHN SMITH LITTLE RIVER living on the same property in Anson County,NC. They both paid taxes on the same property in 1764 but there was no evidence that they and their families lived on it. This testimony proves they did live on it. COTTON family researchers claim JAMES COTTON left his family and moved to England. JOHN SMITH LITTLE RIVER was taken POW at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge near Wilimington NC. He was in prison in Philadelphia for about 7 months. He was released on bond and took the Loyalty Oath to the Continental Congress. His probable son, GABRIEL SMITH, entered the Anson Co. Patriot Militia under the command of COL THOMAS WADE AT AGE 16 and served from 1780 to 1783 ,18 months until the end of the War. 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