Guilford County NcArchives Military Records.....Rankin, Robert 
Revwar - Pension 
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Nancy Poquette npoq@hotmail.com June 17, 2006, 2:01 pm

Pension Application Of Robert Rankin [b], Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll 2001, Application #W5664
ROBERT RANKIN [b], a resident of McNairy County, Tennessee, aged seventy-four 
years:
	“That he entered the service of the United States on the 16th day of 
June 1776 as a draftsman, under Captain BELL, Colonel CAVAL and General 
RUTHERFORD. He was mustered into service on the said 16th day of June 1776 at 
Martinsville, North Carolina. On the 7th or 8th day of July 1776, the army took 
up their line of march, and went through Salisbury and crossed the Blue Ridge 
at a place called Savannah Gap, then crossed Savannah River and marched 
directly on to the Cherokee nation of Indians. At Big Pigeon River in the 
nation, we had a fight with the Indians. We killed a few and took some 
prisoners, burnt the Indian huts and destroyed their corn. This was, as he 
believes, about the 20th day of August 1776. From thence, we marched directly 
back to Guilford County near the same way that we marched out and the first day 
of October 1776.”
“I was discharged, having gone out on a four months tour, and my service not 
being required for the balance of the time. I was discharged having served in 
this campaign, three months and fourteen days. I received a discharge from 
Captain BELL and had it for several years after the war, not knowing it would 
ever be of any service to me, I permitted it to be destroyed.”
“I then remained at home in Guilford County until the 3 or 4th day of March 
1780, when I again entered the service of the United States as a volunteer 
under Captain RISDON MOORE, Colonel PAISLEY and Generals CASWELL and RUTHERFORD 
in Guilford County, North Carolina. After the army was organized, we marched 
directly to Salisbury, from there to the Flat-Rock in South Carolina, from 
thence to Camden, then to a place called Monck’s Corner [14th April, 1780. Also 
called Biggins’ Bridge, see Heitman, page 682]. Here we had a fight with the 
British horse. Some of our men were killed, and some taken prisoners. I think 
this took place the last week in April or the first week in May in the year 
1780.”
“From here we were compelled to retreat before the British over the River 
Santee in South Carolina, where we met with Colonel BUFORD’s regular army. We 
joined him and the British horse and infantry pursued us until we got to 
Camden. Here our regiment separated from Colonel BUFORD’s army. BUFORD marched 
to a place called the Flat Rock in South Carolina, and was there defeated 
[Buford’s Massacre, May 29th, 1780, see Heitman, page 682].
	“We marched to Fayetteville, North Carolina, crossing the Yadkin or 
Pedee River above the Cheraw Hills. When we arrived at Fayetteville, we took 
some salt in wagons, which was sent up to the mountains to keep from the enemy. 
I went with it up to the Cross Roads in Randolph County, North Carolina, where 
I was discharged. This was on the 3rd or 4th day of June 1780, after I had 
served the full end and term of three months out, the time I volunteered for. 
For this tour, I received a discharge from Captain MOORE, but it is now lost or 
destroyed.”
“After I received my discharge in Randolph County, I returned home to Guilford 
County where I remained for a very short time, and about the first day of July 
1780, I again entered the service of the United States as a volunteer soldier 
under Captain ROSS and Major DEVALD to fight the Tories, which was then rising 
in all quarters. So soon as I entered the service, we marched to a place called 
Scrap’s Mill [?Clapp’s Mill?] in Guilford County, where we had a skirmish or 
fight. From here we marched from one place to another all over the state of 
North Carolina for the purpose of keeping in check the Tories.”
“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.”
	“I then remained at home but a short time, when I again entered the 
service of the United States as a volunteer soldier as a minute horseman under 
Captain MCADOW and Colonel PAISLEY. The month nor the day of the month which I 
entered the service at this time, I cannot now recollect, but I volunteered for 
the term of three months. So soon as we were organized, we marched to Randolph, 
Moore and Montgomery Counties to keep the Tories in check, and continued in 
service until my time of three months was out. I then received a discharge from 
Captain MCADOW, but it is now lost or destroyed.”
	“I resided in Guilford County, North Carolina until 1830, when I moved 
to McNairy County, Tennessee, where I now reside, etc."

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