Guilford County NcArchives Military Records.....Forbis, Arthur Revwar - Pension ************************************************ 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: Nancy Poquette npoq@hotmail.com June 18, 2006, 2:04 pm Constructed History Of Captain Arthur Forbis WILLIAM SMITH-“That from the commencement of the Revolutionary War, the citizens of his section of North Carolina were divided into two parties-the Whigs and the Tory. That he joined the Whigs, the friends of freedom, liberty and independence, and served his country from 1775 to 1781, sometimes at home a few days, and again out on service sometimes days, sometimes weeks, and sometimes months at a time. But from the dangers to which his party was constantly exposed and from the circumstances of his joining at an early period of the war, many of his neighbors, who formed themselves into a company called minute men, he stood constantly on the defensive both when out in service under the immediate command of his officers and when at home.” “That in, or about the summer of 1775, it was rumored in his neighborhood that the Tories had arisen down in the County of Orange and had committed depradations on Whigs. When the people of the Alamance (his own) neighborhood met together to consult what it would be best for them to do. That it was resolved by the meeting to send some two to ascertain whether this report was true; and that he and one JESSE MACOMB volunteered and went and found that the Tories were in arms and had wounded in a skirmish one WILLIAM DENT, Esquire, a Whig. That they returned immediately and brought to their friends this intelligence when they formed themselves into a company and marched with this commanded by Lieut. WILEY, Captain FORBIS, Colonel PAISLEY and Colonel GILLESPIE, and brought away said DENT, who was severely wounded, and placed him under the care of Dr. AGNEW, and returned after the Tories, took some prisoners and dispersed the balance. That he marched with Captain FORBIS, guarding the prisoners, to Martinsville, Guilford Old Courthouse, where they were dismissed on a promise to be peaceable citizens in future. That he cannot tell the length of this tour.” “That after this he was out tour after tour, down into Randolph County, after the Tories, and out from home in various other sections which he cannot now recollect, and continued thus to serve until about 1777, when he was marched down to Fayetteville after the Scotch Tories, and continued some weeks, scouring the Raft Swamps, took many prisoners, and lodged them in jail at Cross Creek (now Fayetteville). That in this tour, he was commanded by Captain FORBIS and Colonel PAISLEY. That he cannot recollect the time he spent in this tour, but must have been gone towards two months.” “That from this time until the summer of 1780, he continued to serve under Captain FORBIS and Colonel PAISLEY in various short tours down into Randolph County after the Tories who were often headed by one Colonel FANNING, who always escaped, in although his company were often successful in catching some of his men. That a description or history of these tours he cannot safely or satisfactorily give, but con____d in them all many months.” It was requested that JOHN FINLEY more clearly explain how he was acquainted with WILLIAM SMITH’s service: “That he was well acquainted with WILLIAM SMITH during the revolutionary war, and did service with him from the commencement thereof to its termination. That the citizens of this section of North Carolina were from the commencement of the war, divided into two parties, the Whig and the Tory. That said SMITH belonged to the Whig party and always stood ready and took a very magnanimous and active part in defending his friends and the friends of freedom and independence from the aggression of the common enemy and those who took part with them.” “That his services were rendered in the manner which he states in his declaration. That at the first of the war, the Whigs (among whom was SMITH) were compelled to resist the depradations of the Tories. They assembled and went out in service as necessity seemed to urge. But when these aggressions seemed rather to increase than diminish, it was resolved by many of the Whigs to form themselves into a company called minute men, to be ready at any and all times to march in a minute’s warning, so that their operations against the Tories might be united and more efficient. That said SMITH and himself both belonged to this company. That the regulation was that this company was to march at all times when there was necessity under whatever Captains the Colonel (mostly Colonel PAISLEY) should assign to command it. That those who composed this company were considered, called and looked upon as soldiers of the Revolution from the time the company was formed until the end of the war.” “That owing to his memory having greatly failed, he is now unable to state the precise times when the company was formed, but knows that it was formed shortly after a tour, which those who formed afterwards the company made after the Scotch Tories down about Cross Creek, now Fayetteville, in making which trip, said SMITH was in company. That this tour was in ’76 or ’77. That this company was often, very often down the country after the Tories. Sometimes down among the High Hills of Randolph County, called the Caraway Mountains, down among the Raft Swamps, down on Deep Creek, up the country on the Yadkin River, and often in the immediate neighborhood.” “That this company would be out sometimes days, sometimes weeks, few and then many, and the times which they spent at home, they were compelled often to go armed, when in the field engaged at work. That this company was commanded much and very often by Captain ARTHUR FORBIS, who was mortally wounded in the Guilford Battle. Sometimes by Captain ROBERT PAISLEY, Captain GILLESPIE, and Captain BRASHEARS and almost always under the command of Colonel JOHN PAISLEY. That the tours mentioned to have been made down the country were made mostly to disperse companies of Tories collected by Colonel FANNING. That many of FANNING’s men were taken prisoners, others killed and the balance mostly as much dispersed as practicable. That said SMITH was always with him in these tours.” WILLIAM SHAW-“That he first entered service in Guilford County, state of North Carolina in the fall of 1775 under the command of Colonel JAMES MARTIN, Colonel Com, JOHN PAISLEY- Lieutenant Colonel, Captain ARTHUR FORBIS, Lieutenant WILLIAM WILEY, and Ensign WILLIAM GILMER were my company officers. I also served a second tour under the above-mentioned officers, but have no distinct recollection of the exact time I served in either of the two tours, he thinks between two and three months.” “On each tour of duty I was called on, I entered the same as a volunteer, with the exception of the tour against the Cherokee Indians, when I was drafted, and in addition to the officers already mentioned, was Colonel ALEXANDER MARTIN, who was the regular officer who commanded us on my first tour of duty in 1775, employed principally against Scotch Tories under MCDONALD, MCLEOD and others.” “My third tour was against the Cherokee Indians in 1776 under the command of Brigadier General RUTHERFORD, the regimental and company officers above [Col. JAMES MARTIN, Lt. Col. JOHN PAISLEY, Capt. ARTHUR FORBIS, Lt. WILLIAM WILEY, Ens. WILLIAM GILMER] mentioned, and was in service between three and four months.” WILLIAM WILEY [a]-“That he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer in the North Carolina militia and as a first lieutenant in the company commanded by Captain ARTHUR FORBIS under Major DONNELL in the regiment commanded by Colonel JOHN COLLIER, and which was under the command of General GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD. That at the time he volunteered he was a resident of the County of Guilford in the state of North Carolina. That he joined the army at Guilford Courthouse in the month of June in the year 1777 [actual year, 1776] as well as he can recollect. From Guilford Courthouse he was marched down to Fayetteville where the regiment remained a few days and then was marched in search of a company of Tories who were commanded by one FANNING, but did not come up them. In this tour declarant served five weeks. He further states that from the time above until the fall of 1779, he was out at various times and for short periods which he is unable to detail particularly.” “His next tour of service [Cherokee expedition-1776] was against the Indians in Captain FORBIS’ company, the regiment was again commanded by Colonel COLLIER, and the whole of the troops commanded by General RUTHERFORD. They marched over the mountains to what was then called the lower towns on the Tennessee River. There was a skirmish between part of the troops of RUTHERFORD and the Indians but he was not in the battle owing to a wound he had received on his leg by a tomahawk. They returned in the fall, having served six months. This tour was not mentioned in the original declaration because he believed they were not entitled to pay for services against the Indians.” WILLIAM WILEY [a]-“That in his first tour against the Tory Colonel FANNING, he served five weeks to the best of his knowledge and belief. He served as a lieutenant in the company. In his next tour he was out as a lieutenant in a company commanded by Captain JOHN FORBIS, the regiment by Colonel GILLESPIE and served three months. In this campaign he marched from Guilford to Pedee River against the Tories, but was in no engagement with them.” JOHN MCDANIEL-“That on the 12th day of June 1776 in the state of North Carolina he volunteered in the army of the United States in the company commanded by Captain ARTHUR FORBIS, in the regiment commanded by Colonel JAMES MARTIN [Lieutenant Colonel was JOHN PAISLEY] in the brigade commanded by General RUTHERFORD. Rendezvoused at Guilford Courthouse, marched to Salisbury, from thence to a place called Pleasant Garden at the head of the Catawba, marched from thence to the head of the Tennessee, from thence across the country to the head of the Hiwassee, thence to a place called the Valley River. Burned thirty- five Indian towns, and was in two or three Indian fights, killed some and took a few prisoners [Cherokee expedition]. Returned back to Guilford about the 22nd October 1776, after serving 4 months and 20 days, when applicant was discharged. He received a written discharge which is lost.” SAMUEL RAYL-“At the same place and time another company volunteered under Captain LEAK, so pronounced. The place of rendezvous was Guilford Courthouse and on the 13th day of July 1776, this declarant reported there and within sight of Guilford Courthouse, a large body of men, many companies, number not recollected, were collected. Colonel ALEXANDER MARTIN commanded them. This declarant was ensign in Captain JOHN ELMS company. Captain FORBIS was one of the captains. Declarant does not now recollect any other captains’ names. There were no regular officers or soldiers.” “Many of the men being unprepared with guns and provisions and clothing, had to return to their homes to make ready. They were ordered to make ready and return immediately. This declarant returned home, prepared himself, and returned in three or four days to Guilford Courthouse. Thence we were marched under Colonel ALEXANDER MARTIN towards the Cherokee towns. JOSEPH MCLEAN- “That from the commencement of this war 1775 until 1781 he spent half his time in small tours after the Tories sometimes down to Fayetteville, often down to the Caraway Mountains in Randolph County under Captain FORBIS, Col. PAISLEY and sometimes under Captain WHITESELL, and several trips up on the Yadkin after a Tory called BRYAN that he us unable to give any satisfactory history of any of them owing to his age and impaired memory.” “That he believes his tour to Fayetteville was performed in the summer of 1777 and that he must have been out on this tour as much as 6 weeks. That of the many tours he made among the high hills of Randolph called Caraway Mountains, down to the Raft Swamps, tours on the Craters of Deep on Drowning Creek, and up on the ?Bern Yadkin, he cannot state their particular dates and length, but states that he would be out sometimes a few days, sometimes a few weeks, and be at home in like manner. That the Tories were so plenty in this section of country that the Whigs were almost constantly forced to be armed and that his neighbors who were Whigs formed themselves into a company of minute men under the aforesaid officers to be always ready when called on and in a minute’s warning.” JAMES MCBRIDE-“On my return home [summer of 1776] I joined a volunteer company commanded by Captain ARTHUR FORBIS. This company, with three others commanded by Captains MOORE, WHITESELL and GILLESPIE, in the regiment of Col. JOHN PAISLEY, were employed principally against the Tories under FIELDS and WILLESBY. I performed in sundry tours in this service the duration and number of each not recollected, with an exception, which was three months. We ranged through Randolph, Chatham, Moore, Anson, Montgomery and Rowan Counties.” “I was again engaged as I had previously been under Capt. FORBIS “Tory hunting”, but the periods of the different tours I cannot recollect [probably 1779-1780].” JOHN MCBRIDE-“That he next served for one month and fifteen days as a volunteer in a company commanded by Captain ARTHUR FORBIS against Colonel BRYAN, a Tory or Royalist, who raised a number of Tories in Rowan and the adjoining counties in North Carolina, and marched to join the British army at or near Camden, South Carolina. This service was rendered a few weeks before the Defeat of General GATES at Camden.” JOHN FINDLEY-“That he first volunteered and was out a month and some days in the fall, October or November, of 1776 or 1777 on a tour to Fayetteville in this state, after the Scotch Tories, under the command of Captain FORBIS and General DAVIDSON, and was discharged on Hay Mount by word, no written discharge was given.” WILLIAM KERR-“That a short time after he returned from the 18-months tour, he volunteered against the Tories, but the year and month he cannot recollect. That he was in a volunteer company commanded by Captain ARTHUR FORBIS, Lieutenant WILLIAM WILEY, and Ensign WILLIAM GILMORE. That his company, with several other volunteer companies, met in Anson County, NC, and was commanded by Colonel JAMES MARTIN, and as he thinks, Major JOHN NELSON. That he volunteered for a tour of 3 months but did not serve the whole time. Was out six weeks at least and perhaps 8 weeks. That he was marched from his place of rendezvous in Anson Co. into South Carolina. Was in no battles, was acquainted with no regular officers this tour. Was marched back to North Carolina where he was discharged regularly, but has lost his certificate of discharge, and that he was discharged in Guilford County, NC, but the year and month he cannot recollect.” “That the next fall after his last mentioned tour, but the year and month he cannot recollect, he was drafted in the NC militia for 2 months at Guilford Courthouse. That he was commanded by General GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD, Colonel JOHN PAISLEY, Captain ARTHUR FORBIS, Lieutenant WILLIAM WILEY and Ensign WILLIAM GILMORE. That he was marched from Guilford to Charleston, SC, from there to Augusta on the Savannah River, where he remained until his time was expired, when he r returned to Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina, where he was discharged by General RUTHERFORD, but has lost his certificate. That he was in no battle, was acquainted with no regular officers and served the full period of five months, but cannot recollect the time when he was discharged.” WILLIAM SMITH-“That he recollects a tour of some months which he made in the summer and fall of 1780, towards South Carolina, after the British, commanded [by] his aforesaid Captain FORBIS and Colonel PAISLEY. That there were other companies marched from his own county other than the one in which he served, and recollects one commanded by Captain MCADOW. That he joined other troops from other sections of North Carolina at Salisbury, North Carolina. That he marched thence for the south, and encamped at a place called New Providence, not far from a creek called Waxhaws. That a [party of] Tories were taken prisoners by a party sent out, but that he was not sent. That the troops at New Providence were commanded by Colonel PAISLEY, Colonel ARMSTRONG, General DAVIDSON, General RUTHERFORD and others whose names he has now forgotten. That the Americans were forced on account of the approach of a superior force of British to retreat north. That after they had marched through Charlotte, there took place a slight skirmish between the Americans and British cavalry. That when the retreat commenced, his Captain (FORBIS) continued his march home, where he arrived late in fall.” JOHN FINLEY for WILLIAM SMITH-“That he was also with him (SMITH) on the tour, which he mentions he made to the south, into the county of Mecklenburg, New Providence, and on the confines? of South Carolina in the latter part of 1780.” RICHARD VERNON-“This deponent further states that he was called out on a tour of duty about 25th of August in the year 1780 under Captain ARTHUR FORBIS, Lieutenant WILLIAM GILMORE, Ensign ALEXANDER ELLISON in a regiment of militia under commanded by Colonel JOHN PAISLEY of Guilford County, North Carolina and under the command of Brigadier General DAVIDSON, and this three months tour was principally served in the counties of Rowan and Mecklenburg…” “The British having retreated to Waynesborough, SC, General DAVIDSON marched us down about the Waxhaw settlement and took up winter quarters at a place called New Providence, where Colonel MORGAN joined us, also Colonel HOWARD commanding the Maryland Continental troops, which we remained. Here Colonel MORGAN was promoted to General and Colonel HOWARD’s battalion was attached to his brigade. We remained until my men’s term of service expired. I got a discharge from three months service signed by ARTHUR FORBIS, Captain commandant (Colonel PAISLEY being absent with the sick) and WILLIAM DAVIDSON, brigadier General on the 24th of November, 1780 (as proved by the discharge itself, marked D. The date of the discharge is torn off or obliterated.” “D-To all whom it may concern, both civil and military-These are to certify that RICHARD VERNON, Lieut___ in the third regiment of volunteers raised in the District of Salisbury has served three months according ___ ___ and is hereby discharged. Given under my hand, ARTHUR FORBIS, captain, WILLIAM DAVIDSON.” ISAIAH MCBRIDE-“Personally appeared, JONATHAN FINDLEY…That in April 1780, he was sent by Captain FORBIS in company with ISAIAH MCBRIDE, lately deceased, down to Orange for arms and ammunition. That they took them to Martinsville according to orders, that on their return home, in May 1780, they volunteered again…” “I, JOSEPH MCLEAN hereby certify that I believe ISAIAH MCBRIDE, Senior, who died a few months since, was with me in my tour to the southwestern part of the state under Captain FORBIS, Colonel PAISLEY and General DAVIDSON in the summer of 1780 on a three month tour…” “Personally appeared Captain WILLIAM ALBRIGHT…That he served with ISAIAH MCBRIDE in the Revolutionary War many tours after the Tories, and that in particular, recollects falling in with him in the summer of 1780 at Salisbury, Rowan County, and marching thence with him to headquarters at New Providence in the County of Mecklenburg a few miles beyond Charlotte, and that he continued to serve with him after meeting him at Salisbury for at least three months. That he was with him down into the County of Randolph among the Caraway Mountains and over down towards the town of Fayetteville as it is now called, then Cross Creek…” JOSEPH HAMILTON-‘The next morning after our arrival, we pursued on to the Richlands of Hugh Clarion? Here it was discovered the Tories were marching for the British encampment, under CORNWALLIS, at Camden, and to overtake them, was deemed impossible, so all turned for Guilford Courthouse again, which reached, all were disbanded, excepting a company posted to guard the jail, which contained some prisoners. Sergeant SAM BELL commanded this company, applicant being one. When they had guarded these prisoners awhile, this company was turned over to Captain FORBIS, other companies raised, forming the regiment under Colonel PAISLEY and General DAVIDSON commandant, about the first of September of that year 1780.” “All of the army moved off towards the British camp under CORNWALLIS, marched up through Salisbury in Rowan County, thence to Mecklenburg County, where General GREENE was met with the main regular army. The conjunction of the two armies was made at the Black-Jack camp. Each of the contending armies made many maneuvers, exerting their skill for supremacy in tactics, before any assault would be made. Finally, and before the retreat of the American army, applicant, though but a boy of sixteen years of age, obtained a furlough on account of sickness from Captain FORBIS, and started back for Guilford Courthouse. This was about the twenty-fifth of December 1780, Christmas-time. His whole term of service this tour, beginning in the latter part of June 1780 and ending at or about the twenty-fifth day of December of that year, will make the term of service about 6 months.” THOMAS GREAR-“That at Martinsville, Guilford County, he volunteered in the company of Captain FORBIS August 1780 in Guilford. That he marched to the south under Colonel PAISLEY and joined the troops under General DAVIDSON below Charlotte, Mecklenburg County. That he retreated with General DAVIDSON back to Salisbury, Rowan County. That he was there left by the troops to take care of the baggage wagons. The troops marched to the south and returned late in the fall of the same year, 1780, when he was discharged and sent home to Guilford with some troops from the same county. That this was a three month tour.” “That previous and he believes the summer before [1779?] the last mentioned tour, he volunteered and was marched under Captain FORBIS and Colonel PAISLEY up on the Yadkin River after one Colonel BRYAN, a Tory, in which he consumed a few weeks. That he took many other such short tours after the Tories off in various sections, but his recollection does not sufficiently aid him to give of them a satisfactory history, or their seasonal date.” THOMAS HAMBLETON-“…In the month of August 1780, when he was placed on the muster roll and was attached to the company of ARTHUR FORBIS. The company commanded by FORBIS at the requirement of the government. Volunteered to do a tour of duty for the term of three months. They rendezvoused and were mustered into the service under Colonel JOHN PAISLEY at Guilford Courthouse in the state of North Carolina, and they marched to the south and joined General DAVIDSON’s army at a place called Blackjack Camps, from that were detached off on duty and marched from place to place for some months as a scrimmaging party until they were reunited to the army in South Carolina.” WILLIAM ALBRIGHT-“That in the summer of 1780, he volunteered as before and was marched under the command of Captain FORBIS to Martinsville, thence to Salisbury and thence to New Providence in the County of Mecklenburg, and joined the troops under General DAVIDSON. That the troops were shortly driven from New Providence by British troops sent under the command of RAWDON and TARLETON. That he retreated with his officers back on this side of the Yadkin River. That after staying here a few days, he was marched south again to a creek called Waxhaw in North Carolina for the purpose of annoying the enemy on their march from South Carolina That on this retreat from the aforesaid New Providence, the cavalry stayed behind and attacked the advanced guards, not far from Charlotte. That as soon as this was known, Colonel PAISLEY and Colonel ARMSTRONG volunteered and requested others to join them and return to assist the cavalry then engaged. That they ____ ____ among whom was neighbor JOSEPH MCLEAN joined them, but they met their friends on the retreat.” “That he was discharged in the County of Mecklenburg which discharge he still has and which is herewith transmitted. That no time was allowed him for service until he arrived at New Providence and joined the troops under General DAVIDSON. That his certificate certifies to three months services, but that he was longer from home in marching out and home from New Providence, in all near 200 miles. That during the tour he acted as Lieutenant. That before setting out his Lieutenant CLAPP was accidentally shot in the arm and rendered unable to march with us. That Col. PAISLEY offered him the commission of a Lieutenant which he refused to accept and told the Colonel that he was a German, could not read English, but agreed to assist Captain FORBIS in every way possible. That he did act and discharge the duty of Lieutenant.” GEORGE NEESE-“That after his return, he was engaged with his Whig friends against the Tories in the manner stated this day in open court by WILLIAM ALBRIGHT, with whom he served. That from 1776 to 1781he was out at least half of his time on short expeditions up and down the country, and deems it unnecessary to attempt giving any other history of his little tours than that given by said ALBRIGHT, as he recollects but few more things than he states, as we have made our statements before the same attorney, before going into court. That he performed his last mentioned services under Captain WHITESELL, Captain FORBIS, Colonel PAISLEY.” “That in order to operate with effect and success on these Tories, there were formed two companies in Guilford called minutemen, the one under the command of Captain FORBIS and Lieutenant WILEY, the other under Captain WHITESELL and Lieutenant CLAPP. That these companies stood always ready to march in a minute’s warning when there was invasion from a distance or insurrection among Tories of the immediate neighborhood. That the Dutch were under the command of Captain WHITESELL, and the English or Irish under Captain FORBIS.” LEODWICK CLAPP-““That he recollects that towards the close of the war, of starting a tour to the south. They met the enemy on the march north, but that his brother, Lieutenant JACOB CLAPP had accidentally got his arm shot, and that he was sent by his captain to convey his brother home and attend to him. “That from this time ‘75 until 1781, he was always ready at the call of his country and served a very great many small tours under Captain WHITESELL, Captain FORBIS, Colonel MARTIN, and Colonel PAISLEY after the Tories and consumed at the least on third of that period in service of this kind. Sometimes down among the High Hills of Randolph County, sometimes down towards Fayetteville, down among the Raft Swamps and often up on the Yadkin. WILLIAM WILEY [b]-“He had scarcely reached home when, about the first of September [1780] he was again drafted and put into a company commanded by Captain FORBIS in Colonel PAISLEY’s regiment. Was stationed the greater part of the time while under this engagement at the Waxhaws, was occasionally under the command of Colonel DAVIDSON (being the same officer) who as above stated had engaged the party of Tories at Colson’s Ferry and was also under the command of Colonel or General RUTHERFORD. He was in no battle during this tour; the party to which he belonged was raised for the suppression of Tories and to preserve good order in the country. He recollects that this was termed the “?pumpion” campaign from the fact that the men had to subsist a large portion of the time on pumpions and very indifferent beef. He was dismissed from the service the first of December, having been three months.” “He was again drafted some time during the winter ensuing his last mentioned tour at Guilford Courthouse and under the command of Colonel PAISLEY. Was marched against a party of Scotch Tories who was operating in favour of the Royal Army near Raft Swamps. The Tories had done some mischief, but the country being somewhat settled, and the disturbance quieted. This applicant was again permitted to return home, having been under this engagement about 6 weeks. The distance he was marched from Guilford to Raft Swamps was probably about ninety miles. He was during this term, in no engagement. He continued on duty under Captain FORBIS about fifteen days when he was dismissed from service. Was not in company with regular soldiers or officers…” MATHIAS SWING-“That from this time in ’75 until 1780? he was always ready at the call of his officers, Captain WHITESELL, Captain FORBIS, Colonel PAISLEY and Colonel GILLESPIE, and consumed in short tours after the Tories the half of this time (from ’75 to ’80). “That he was frequently marched down to the Caraway Mountains or High Hills of Randolph [County] and to the Raft Swamps near Fayetteville, in both of which places the Tories under one Colonel FANNING were in the habit of taking refuge after their ravages on the Whigs.” “That he recollects of one trip to Fayetteville rather longer than usual, and he thinks it was in the summer of 1777, in which he consumed five or six weeks. That he was frequently called out to quell the insurrections of Tories commanded by one Colonel BRYAN living up on the Yadkin River. That was marched another time and continued several weeks from home which Deep Creek, south of Fayetteville, now called Drowning Creek, so called from the circumstances of many Tories being drowned there…That he is known to GEORGE NEESE, JOSEPH MCLEAN and WILLIAM ALBRIGHT, who can and are willing to testify from their personal knowledge to his services… MATTIAS SWING-amendment to his declaration-“That he was a private volunteer in the minute company commanded by Captain WHITESELL and Lieutenant CLAPP. That the most of his services were performed and in fact all except his Cherokee expedition, in short and frequent tours after the Tories, sometimes a few days, sometimes many, and again weeks at a time, down into Randolph County, among the High Hills called the Caraway Mountains, down towards Wilmington and Cross Creek (now Fayetteville), up on the Yadkin, and often out into the immediate neighborhood. That the inhabitants south of him and as far down the country in Wilmington were pretty generally Tories.” “That he lived as it were, near the dividing line between a great body of Tories and some Whigs. That the Whigs were either compelled to submit to the insults, ravages and murders of the infamous, cowardly and cruel Tories, join their party, or bear arms constantly and fight in defense of themselves and the cause, which they did espouse, and that he was out as aforesaid one half his time from the commencement to the termination of the war, and that he was compelled to go armed even when at home or at church. That he recollects of plowing with two guns with him in the field, one at one end of the field and the other at the other.” “That there was one Colonel FANNING who stayed mostly in and about the Raft Swamp, down the country as a place of refuge. That he, Colonel FANNING was influential among the loyalists and would sometimes in person led, and often cause bands of Tories to be marched into the Whig settlements to murder and pillage. That to act with efficiency against these frequent and severe attacks, the Whigs early saw the propriety of forming themselves into companies and they were accordingly formed two companies in his section of Guilford, one commanded by Captain FORBIS and the other by Captain WHITESELL, the former an Irish or English company, the latter a German or Dutch company.” “That these companies stood always ready to march with a minute’s warning at the call of Colonel PAISLEY, his commanding Colonel, which were frequent, very frequent. That these companies were generally successful in dispersing, taking prisoners and killing the many companies, mobs and bands of Tories that would rise and were sent against them. That the prisoners were sometimes released on a promise and charge to do better, and some who were thought to be the worst and most dangerous were conveyed and imprisoned at Martinsville, Guilford Courthouse. That he might be said with some propriety to have been a soldier throughout the war and must have done service, regularly called out, not less than two years…” JACOB CLAPP- And the…declarant also produces the affidavit of the witness JACOB CLAPP of Guilford County, who states that…Captain JACOB CLAPP did serve a three months tour of duty in Captain FORBIS’ company in the fall of 1780. See affidavit of…JACOB CLAPP hereto annexed marked F.” November 21, 1839-JOHN MCBRIDE, aged 95 years…That he knew JACOB CLAPP senior and that he went in service to the Indian nation under Captain ___ and that CLAPP served as lieutenant under Captain FORBIS in the fall before the Guilford Battle.” ANDREW CARNAHAN-“He remembers that he was once out about six weeks in Captain FORBIS’s company, in which he thinks the lieutenant’s name was GILMORE. The troops to which he belonged during this time were under the command of General DAVIDSON. After having been in service about six weeks as above stated, he agreed to join a company of light horse, and went home to get his horse, but his mother who was at that time alive, was so much opposed to his returning, that she prevailed on him to remain at home, she hiring a man to go as a substitute in his place. At this time, he was not much more than sixteen years of age…” JAMES FINLEY- “About the middle of August 1780, he entered the service of the United State as a volunteer under the command of Colonel JOHN PAISLEY, Captain ARTHUR FORBIS, & Lieutenant GILMER? and soon after marched from Martinsville in the County of Guilford to join the forces of General WILLIAM DAVIDSON in the County of Mecklenburg. That before he marched into Mecklenburg County, the forces with which he marched from Martinsville were stationed for two weeks on the Yadkin, at which time we formed a ?main? body of a company of three hundred volunteers under the command of Colonel JOHN PAISLEY and Captain ARTHUR FORBIS, to attack a party of Tories under the command of Captains BURK and BRYAN, who had been committing depradations near the Shallow Ford of the Yadkin, and that they arrived just as the Tories were defeated and routed by a body of Whigs by whom they had been attacked.” “After returning from this scouting party and again joining the main body, he was marched into the County of Mecklenburg where General DAVIDSON took the command, remaining there for some time. He was marched under the command of a Captain WILSON from Caswell County and joined some forces under command of Colonel DAVIE, who was stationed on the Catawba River for the purpose of watching the movements and keeping in check the British forces under the command of Lord CORNWALLIS, which was encamped on the other side of the river. Shortly after this, he joined the main army again under the command of General DAVIDSON and remained with them till he was discharged, which took place in the month of November 1780 on the Yadkin River. He received a discharge at the time aforesaid, signed by General DAVIDSON and Captain ARTHUR FORBIS, which discharge has been lost or destroyed.” HUGH MCCRORY-“Deponent further states that he again volunteered in the service of his country in the year 1780 under Captain FORBIS in a regiment commanded by Colonel PAISLEY in General DAVIDSON’s brigade. He does not recollect the name or number of the regiment, in Rowan County in the state of North Carolina on the Yadkin River, from which he marched to Six-Mile Creek in Mecklenburg County, NC, where he remained during nearly all the winter, when he was discharge from the service of his country by Colonel PHIFER, to whose regiment he had been transferred. This discharge, as he believes, was dated February 1781, which discharge has also been lost. He believes he served during this term, upwards of three months, but cannot say the precise time.” “…and that he served not less than three months on his 2nd tour under Captain FORBIS.” JOSEPH MCLEAN-“That in the summer of 1780 he volunteered as before and was marched under the command of Captain FORBIS to Martinsville (an early name for Greensboro, which was prior to both of those names, called Guilford Courthouse), thence to Salisbury, and thence to New Providence in the County of Mecklenburg and joined the troops under Gen. DAVIDSON. That the Americans shortly driven from New Providence by a superior force of the enemy under the command of RAWDON and TARLETON. That he retreated with his officers back on this side of the Yadkin River. That staying here a few days we again marched south to a creek called ?Moscow for the purpose of annoying the enemy on their march from ?Saba. That on the retreat from the aforesaid New Providence the cavalry stayed behind and attacked the advanced guards not far from Charlotte. That as soon as this was known, Col. PAISLEY and Col. ARMSTRONG volunteered and requested others to join them and returned to assist the cavalry, then engaged. That he and others (among whom was his neighbor WILLIAM ALBRIGHT) joined them but they ?not them pursued the retreat (?). That he was discharged in the County of Mecklenburg, which discharge he still has and wants.” AUSTIN SMITH-“That he again entered the service as a substitute in the place of one JAMES BROWN, about the twentieth of August 1780, for a three months tour of militia service. That they rendezvoused at Guilford Courthouse under the command of Captain ARTHUR FORBIS. ROBERT MOORE was the Lieutenant of the company. Colonel JOHN PAISLEY commanded the regiment. That he set out and marched for Salisbury thence towards Charlotte, near which place they learned that the British were advancing in great force. That they fell back and crossed the Yadkin River and there remained until General SMALLWOOD and General MORGAN with the Maryland light infantry under Colonels WILLIAMS and HOWARD, and Colonel WASHINGTON with his troop of light dragoons and also a brigade of North Carolina militia under General JONES came on and joined them, when they recrossed the Yadkin and marched through Salisbury and to a place in Mecklenburg County called [New] Providence, when we built tents, cleared out a parade ground, and continued to train the militia until our term of service expired, which was about the first of December 1780.” “I did receive a discharge from General DAVIDSON signed by himself and Captain ARTHUR FORBIS, as senior Captain of the regiment.” WILLIAM SMITH-“That he again marched under his Captain FORBIS and Colonel PAISLEY, and joined General GREENE on his march north before the British, and marched with him over Dan River to Halifax, Virginia, when he, with his captain, was permitted to return home to oppose the ravages of the Tories and British in his own neighborhood, and to use some means to secure his property, in which he was engaged when the Armies met and fought at Martinsville. That his captain had joined the troops again before the Battle of Guilford and was mortally wounded in said battle.” JOHN FINLEY for WILLIAM SMITH-“That after he returned home, he again set out north, and marched with him to Halifax Old Court House, VA, but that he had to return home with his captain to quell an insurrection of the Tories.” PETER LESLEY-“I was home about one month, and my stepfather, JOHN WILEY of Guilford County, North Carolina was drafted to serve three months tour, for which I went and served in his place, under the command of Captain FORBIS and WILLIAM GILMORE, Lieutenant, and ALEXANDER ALLISON, Ensign, and was mustered into service in Guilford County, North Carolina on the 25th day of August, 1780, and marched to Salisbury, then to Brushy Camp, where we joined General DAVIDSON. Then we marched to New Providence. There Colonel PAISLEY’s regiment joined us and we continued there in Rowan and Mecklenburg Counties until our time of service had expired, and a part of the time, Colonel MORGAN’s regiment were stationed there, also Colonel WASHINGTON’s, and his horse, a part of the time. I was discharged at New Providence by General DAVIDSON on, I think, about the last of November, 1780.” “I returned home, and I think in January 1781, Captain FORBIS called on his old company again to take the field with him, as the British were in our neighborhood, and I and several of his company joined him as volunteers with Lieutenant GILMORE and Ensign ELLISON. We then marched down to General GREENE’s army on Dan River, and were attached to Colonel PAISLEY’s regiment.” “We stayed about one month with the army and I was furloughed by Colonel PAISLEY to go home, and to join the army again when called. I stayed at home about one month and was notified to join the army again, and about two weeks before the Battle of Guilford, I entered the service under the command of Captain FORBIS in Guilford County, marched up to Guilford Courthouse and on the 15th day of March 1781, I was in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, in which our Captain FORBIS was mortally wounded, and went home and died, and WILLIAM PAISLEY of our company was slightly wounded. I was on the battleground in about three days after the battle was fought. The British had buried their dead and marched off. Our dead men was not all buried. I then went home and stayed some time.” WILLIAM LESLEY-. He entered the service in the militia of North Carolina under General DAVIDSON, in the year 1780, does not recollect the day, but it was in the month of August in that year as he marched from Guilford to Charlotte he met General GATES’ men returning from their defeat near Camden. Marched from Charlotte to Bushy Camps towards Ninety-Six.” “After arriving here, Generals GREENE and MORGAN took the command of the southern army and applicant’s commanding officers were Colonel PAISLEY, Major MOORE and Captain FORBIS. He belonged to the third regiment of North Carolina militia; was acquainted with the Maryland line who were the first regular troops of infantry that joined them. These were commanded by one HOWARD who was said to be a Virginian, an officer by the name of WILLIAM WASHINGTON (as he thinks) and another by the name of LEE, commanded the cavalry and overtook the southern army at Sloan’s Ferry on the Yadkin [River] as they were advancing towards Charlotte. This tour was of three months duration and its duties, as it happened consisted principally in marching from point to point. There was not so much as a skirmish during the whole tour.” “He was discharged from this tour at McAlpin’s Creek in North Carolina. His stepfather [JOHN WILEY] drew his discharge and kept it so that applicant never got it. Indeed, his stepfather claimed it as a matter of right, inasmuch as applicant was not twenty-one years old, contending that he was entitled to the proceeds of applicant’s labor until he was of age.” “In a very few days after his discharge from the first tour, he volunteered in the militia army in the same regiment and under the same officers, GREENE, the commanding general. A circumstance which assists his mind in arriving at the fact that the time between his discharge and his volunteering was only a few days is this: before he was discharged, HOWARD and WASHINGTON went on to the Cowpens in South Carolina, where they defeated TARLETON, and he recollects while acting as a volunteer, that he guarded some prisoners taken by them at the Cowpens, from near Salisbury to fifteen miles below Guilford Courthouse and there gave them to another party.” “He recollects that it was a cold, wet day and that the guard called at the house of Colonel PAISLEY, where they had plenty of liquor and a good fire. Among the prisoners was a Colonel BURKS, a Tory, who thrust himself in to get the benefit of the fire. PAISLEY asked him what he came in for. BURKS replied, to warm himself. PAISLEY showed him the door and as he retreated, took a chair and knocked him out of the door into the lane.” “From this place, the detachment went back and joined the main army again at Sloan’s Ferry. By this time, CORNWALLIS was said to be at Charlotte and our Colonel [PAISLEY] beat up for volunteers to go and stop a party of Tories who they heard were about to go and join him. He mustered about 300, of whom deponent was one. They set out and struck for the Fork of the Yadkin, crossed over into it, and went up to a place called the Cross Roads, about a mile from Shallow Ford and then while they were preparing for breakfast, the Tories came up on horseback, shouting praises to King George, and gave some appearance of being intoxicated. The detachment fired on them and killed sixteen. The rest fled rapidly through the woods. One man belonging to the detachment was mortally wounded, but deponent does not know whether he received his wound from the Tories or whether he was shot by carelessness in his own ranks [was this JOHN BRAWLEY?].” “They moved from Shallow Ford and encamped near the river. Next day, went on to Salem or Moravian Town, where they stayed and dried their clothes, and that night deponent stood sentinel four hours in an old field. Thinks this was sometime in December. Marched from that place to the main army at Sloan’s Ferry.” “Not many days after this, GREENE commenced his retreat to Virginia. On the retreat march, they passed through Guilford, crossed Haw River at High Rock Ford, and went on by the Red House, crossed Dan River at Boyd’s Ferry, waded Staunton and crossed Bannister on a bridge, and after passing some short distance beyond the old Courthouse in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, they stopped some days, took some rest and got provision. During this whole route, CORNWALLIS was close in pursuit, and the forces of the Americans he thinks were not more than 2000 men.” “Having got a few days rest, WASHINGTON with the cavalry, went back into North Carolina to keep the British from pillaging, plundering and getting provision, and the infantry also went back, leaving GREENE to recruit in Virginia. On their return march, they scoured the country in every direction until GREENE returned, when then joined him and marched on to Guilford to wait for CORNWALLIS.” “The night before the Battle of Guilford, CORNWALLIS laid at a place called New Garden Meeting House, and a detachment under the command of LEE and WASHINGTON and some riflemen commanded by a Colonel CLEVELAND, went out there and gave the British a smart skirmish before breakfast. CORNWALLIS arrived at Guilford Courthouse between twelve and one o’clock on the 15th of March, 1781.” “Just before the battle commenced, Colonel LEE rode up to the lines where deponent stood and used some thing like these words, “My brave boys, your lands, your lives and your country depend on your conduct this day! I have given TARLETON hell this morning and I will give him more of it before night!” and speaking of the roaring of the British cannon, he said, “You hear damnation roaring over all these words and after all, they are no more than we!” and he went on to flank the left of the American army. This deponent’s place in that battle was on the left of the artillery, not far from it. The 33rd and 71st British regiments breasted the 4th regiment of militia to which deponent then belonged. Their object seemed to be to take the artillery. The battle was commenced by the militia and two lines of them fought before the regulars came up.” “Deponent believes that this tour of volunteer service exceeded three months in duration, but for the purpose of being entirely safe in his statement, he is willing to place it at three months, which together with the three months tour heretofore described, makes six months service performed by this deponent in the Revolutionary War. He got no discharge from this last service. His captain [FORBIS] was mortally wounded at the battle just mentioned and died in about a week. Both before and after the services above mentioned, deponent was engaged in several scouting expeditions.” JOHN MCDANIEL-“In the year 1780, in August, he was again drafted under Captain FORBIS in the regiment commanded by Colonel JOHN PAISLEY, in the brigade commanded by General DAVIDSON, marched from Guilford to Catawba, thence to Salisbury, from thence to Charlotte, where [we were] driven back by the British, almost back to Guilford, from thence back to Salisbury, thence into South Carolina to the neighborhood of Camden. Remained there two or three weeks on a creek called Steele Creek, returned back to Charlotte, thence to Salisbury, thence to Guilford. General GREENE took the command at Charlotte about three days before the Battle at Guilford. Applicant was sent by Colonel MARTIN on an express to Prince Edward in Virginia and came back to Guilford, when the company affiant belonged to and two others was mustered out of service in March 1781, after serving a few days over six months. Affiant received no written discharge at this time.” “We were then retained in the neighborhood of Guilford and Randolph until September 1781 for the purpose of watching and keeping the Tories under subjection and prevent their doing mischief. Had one encounter, killed four Tories, [and] wounded two others, after serving six months. This last service was under Captain DONNELL (Captain FORBIS being killed at the Battle of Guilford).” WILLIAM WILEY [a]-“In the spring of 1780, he was out another tour in a company commanded by Captain FORBIS and the regiment commanded by Colonel JAMES MARTIN against the Tories and marched from Guilford to Haw River but did not overtake the Tories. In this tour, he served six weeks.” “In November 1780, he again joined the army as a volunteer and a lieutenant under his former Captain FORBIS in a regiment commanded by Colonel JOHN PAISLEY. He does not recollect the name of his major. His regiment joined the army under General GREENE at Guilford Courthouse. From here they retreated to Virginia and were reinforced by the Virginia militia.” “From here we wheeled on our pursuers and followed them on to Guilford Courthouse again, where on the 15th of March 1781, we had a battle with CORNWALLIS and his army. In this battle declarant took the small pox and was not in service anymore. In the Battle of Guilford, declarant’s captain [FORBIS] was so severely wounded that he died in a short time after, before declarant got well of the small pox. His Colonel also died, and he got no discharge. From the time he entered the service last spoken of until he took the small pox, the whole of which was four months or more, to the best of his recollection. Declarant has no documentary evidence of his service or any part thereof. His discharge for the time first mentioned by him was destroyed by the Tories together with his books and all his other papers.” DANIEL APPLE-“That before the above mentioned tour [New Providence in 1780] & during the same year, he was called into actual service and volunteered under Captains WHITESELL and Captain FORBIS in order to suppress the depradations of the Tories in the said County of Guilford. In this service he was from time to time engaged during the same year 1780 for at least two months. In addition, he thinks he was employed in guarding different parties of Tories taken prisoners in said County of Guilford and was in the service at least eight days. In these occasional tours of military duty he was not called out for any particular length of time, and when the occasion had ceased which ___ to them, he was discharged by ___ verbal direction of his officers. CHESLEY BARNES-“The next time I entered the service was just before the Guilford Battle. I understood that General GREENE was coming on to engage Lord CORNWALLIS. At this time I held a commission in my company at home as an ensign. I immediately set out from home and joined GREENE’s army under General BUTLER. I was asked if I would serve as a sergeant. I replied that I had come for the purpose of defending my country and was willing to serve in any way. I was then enrolled in Captain FERGUSON’s [probably ARTHUR FORBIS] company when the battle commenced, BUTLER and CATON? commanded our regiment. Captain FERGUSON [FORBIS] was killed in a short time after the battle commenced. I escaped unhurt. On the next day, myself with a party of men, were ordered to assist in killing and quartering up some pork that was brought in for General GREENE’s army, and on the next day, I took my leave of the army, and returned home.” JOHN FINDLEY-“That in a few days after his return home [IN 1780], which was rapid; he volunteered and was marched to New Providence, Mecklenburg County, under Colonel PAISLEY and Captain FORBIS (volunteers), whence he was driven by the British before whom he retreated under General GREENE, over Dan River, to Halifax Courthouse in the state of Virginia. That the British did not cross Dan River, but turned towards Hillsboro, Orange County, NC, and thence up into Guilford and encamped in the New Garden settlement as he understood. That he went to New Providence under the command of Captain FORBIS of his own neighborhood, a volunteer.” “That shortly after the army stopped at Halifax, intelligence came that the Tories were making ravages in their [FORBIS’ company’s] neighborhood. That to quell these, FORBIS and his men were permitted to return home. That on their return, Capt. FORBIS found that the Tories had escaped, and determined to join the general army again, which he did a very short time after the Battle of Guilford. That he did was not in this battle, but was left by FORBIS to go home and get clothing with orders to join him again as soon as practicable, which he was unable to do before the engagement commenced, and found on his arrival at the battleground that he could not join his company or any part of the American army, with certainty or safety. That after the battle, he and others of FORBIS’ Company conveyed their __ commander, mortally wounded, to his home.” “That he continued in the service until he was taken with the small pox, which was 3 weeks after the Battle of Guilford.” COLONEL JAMES MARTIN-“I came and marched with General GREENE to the High Rock Ford on Haw River and encamped there on the eastside of it. The British were maneuvering on the west side of the county and General GREENE after halting there about three weeks thought he had collected all the forces from Virginia and the lower counties of the State and resolved to move towards the British to give them battle as he did. He came to Guilford old Court House where he made a halt and hearing that the British were moving towards him he drew up his men in three lines about 100 yards behind each other and waited the advance of the British. I was posted in the front line with scarce a complete Captain’s company commanded by Captain FORBIS, a brave, undaunted fellow. We were posted behind a fence and I told the men to sit down until the British who were advancing came near enough to shoot.” “When they came in about 200 yards I saw a British officer with a drawn sword driving up his men. I asked Captain FORBIS if he could take him down. He said he could for he had a good rifle and asked me if he should shoot then. I told him to let him in 50 yards and then take him down, which he did. It was a Captain of the British army and at that instant General GREENE sent his Aid-de- Camp for me to go to him and I went and asked him his commands.” ISAIAH MCBRIDE-“Personally appeared, JOHN MCBRIDE…That in the winter of 1781, he did service with ISAIAH MCBRIDE who died a few months ago. That they served together in a company commanded by Captain FORBIS and Colonel PAISLEY. That they joined GREENE on his march to the north in Guilford County, and marched with him towards Halifax in Virginia, but that they were marched home from GREENE’s army to stop the ravages of the Tories in their own neighborhood. That in this service he served with said MCBRIDE not less than a month and that he knows of his being out after the Tories when he was not along…” JOHN MONTGOMERY-“Immediately following, he marched as a volunteer under Capt. FORBIS, Cols. PAISLEY and MARTIN, to join General GREENE (who was retreating from before the British), in Caswell Co., thence with him to Halifax Court House, VA, where information was received of the ravages of the Tories in the neighborhood of Capt. FORBIS, who obtained permission to return home with his company (after six weeks absence). When they reached Guilford, the Tories had fled the county, and Capt. FORBIS resolved to join the army again, but before leaving Guilford, prisoners were sent to him to guard, of which guard MONTGOMERY was one and he was on that duty when the battle was fought at Guilford (March 1781).” JOHN PEASLEY-“He then volunteered whilst British were in Guilford County, North Carolina, under Captain ARTHUR FORBIS in General GREENE’s army, and was then in the Battle of Guilford, in which action his captain was wounded and died of his wounds.” “He states he was actually? dismissed that tour? shortly after his return home to Guilford County North Carolina, under Captain FORBIS and General GREENE, to go against LORD CORNWALLIS, whose army at that time was in Guilford County, North Carolina. He was then marched to Guilford Courthouse, where the American army fought a battle with the British [per Heitman, March 15, 1780]. The Americans were commanded by General GREENE, in which we were defeated. We again rendezvoused at Buffingtons Ironworks on Troublesome Creek, the Fork of Haw River, where he was dismissed after he served a tour of six weeks. He states that his said Captain FORBIS was wounded in said battle, who afterward died of his wound, but previous to his death he received his dismissal from him.” ROBERT RANKIN [b]-“At length, we joined General GREENE’s army, not far from Guilford Courthouse. Then the whole army marched on to Martinsville, where we fought the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina, which was on the 15th day of March 1781. This battle I was in, and on that day, I was commanded by Captain FORBIS, who was killed in the engagement. I was then discharged on the 16th day of March 1781, having served in this tour eight months and sixteen days. I received a discharge from my captain, but it is now lost or destroyed.” JOSEPH HAMILTON-“Applicant served in the earlier part of 1780, when the Battle at Guilford Courthouse was fought [wrong year, per Heitman March 15, 1781], but the service was short and bad recollection about it, together with the want of proof and dates, [prevent?] him from entering into the minutiae of his service, claiming compensation alone for the above enumerated six months, which he hopes fully to establish by evidence of an undoubted kind, and which will accompany or append this application-the certificate of service for three months under Captain FORBIS.” “JAMES PORTER makes oath that he is well acquainted with JOSEPH HAMILTON, that he knew him when he enlisted in 1780 under Captain FORBIS, with whom he served three months. Affiant well remembers this latter fact, because he was Sergeant in Captain FORBIS’ company…” BENJAMIN BOWEN-“He again volunteered under Captain FORBIS, Colonel not recollected, General GREENE. Served four days and was at the Battle of Guilford. JAMES HAMILTON-“She states that at the time of the Battle of Guilford, her said husband was in the army as she has often heard him say, and she thinks it likely that he served there under a captain whose name was FORBIS. Of this however, she is not certain and thinks it possible the impression may be in her mind from the fact that a person known as Captain FORBIS was wounded in that action.” Additional Comments: Constructed History is my term for a soldier who did not file for a pension himself, but about whom there is enough evidence from other soldiers to form an equivalent to a pension application. Most of the testimony comes from other men mentioning the officer or non-comm. officer, but in some cases, the actual soldier himself testified on behalf of other men, thus revealing his own history. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/guilford/military/revwar/pensions/forbis316gmt.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ncfiles/ File size: 61.0 Kb