BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC - MILITARY - Benjamin Kelly, Revolutionary War Pension Application ----¤¤¤---- Revolutionary War Pension Application - Benjamin Kelly The following was found at the National Archives under Revolutionary Pension Records. NC Kelly, Benjamin R5838 The first document is a five-page declaration made by Benjamin Kelly: Buncombe County | On this the 23d day of August 1850 AD personally appeared before me the undersigned gentleman one of the acting Justices of the Court of Record in the county and state as above mentioned, Benjamin Kelly, a resident of Honsmary [Hominy?] in the county of Buncombe and state of NCarolina aged eighty nine 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 the 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he entered the service afore said as a private under one Captain Parrish, belonging to Colonel Farmer's Regiment of NCarolina Militia who was called out by order of the Government for the period of three months, in the fall of the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine, (he thinks this is the year though he cannot say positively) That he lived in Granville county, and state of NCarolina when he first entered said service, and was marched from that county through Orange Co, and Randolph in said state, and along on the Adkin River, and hearing of Cornwallis approaching their course was then directed backwards not long after this time period of serivce expired, and received a discharge, which has been for many years lost. He says that he cannot remember the month he entered, for that reason he cannot mention who else left the same, but that it was three months from the time he entered the service. He further say that this Regiment of Malitia in which he served was drafted periods of service as above stated. He says they were under General Davison until he was killed by a body of Brititish Dragoons, and after these occurance, they were part of the time under General Bushton and part under General Green, and he further says that he was acquainted with Colonel Moss from (he thinks) Caswell County, and that Col. Farmers Regiment was discharged but a little while before General Greene fougnt tne battle of Gilford Court House. in North Carolina on March 15, 1781. The rebels won. Also, Ackin River should have been Yadkin River. Next in the declaration is certification by Wm Morgan Jcp, (Justice of the Court of Record). Then follows certification and support from E. K. Hutsell, Clergyman and from Henry Miller. Then follcws-in sequence and on page five in the declaration State of NCarolina | I William Morgan one Buncombe County | of the acting Justices of the Court of Record for said county, do hereby declare my opinion of the matter after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, and a full investigation being had on the whole, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. I further certify that it appears to me that E. K. Hutsell who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in Buncombe County, and that Henry Miller is a credible person; and that this statement is entitled to credit. I do further certify that the applicant in this case is from bodily infirmity incapable of attend the Courts of record in the county which is thirteen miles distance. In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this the 23d day of August AD 1850. /s/ Wm Morgan JCR The next page in the file gives me comfort that Benjamin Kelly is really Benjamin O'Kelley. Know all men by them presents, That I Benjamin O.Kelly of Buncombe County N. C. have constituted and appoint J. B. Sawyer of Ashville, N. C. my true and lawful attorney for me & in my name to prosecute my claim to a pension in right of my father Benjamin Kelly who was a Revolutionary soldier & to as all lawful acts & things in and about said Claim and to appoint one or more attornies under him for the purpose afore said hereby revoking all former Powers of Attorney heretofore made by me truly, my hand and seal this 12th day of Oct 1853. /s/ Benjamin O Kelley [son] There is a final card in the file: 5838 Benjamin Kelly REJECTED ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Harold O'Kelley (heok@cfl.rr.com) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------