Guilford County NcArchives Military Records.....Vernon, Richard October 1832 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 17, 2006, 7:05 pm Pension Application Of Richard Vernon, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll 2457, Application #S1883 RICHARD VERNON, a resident of Davidson County, Tennessee, aged 74 years in October 1832: “I first entered the service of the United States about the 15th February, 1776, while living in Guilford County, NC, as lieutenant in Captain JOHN LEAK’s company, which was attached to the militia of Guilford County commanded by Colonel JAMES MARTIN from Guilford on an expedition against the Scots Tories near Fayetteville [Moore’s Creek Bridge, per Heitman, February27, 1776], where we were under the command of ALEXANDER MARTIN, colonel of the 1st regiment of N.C. troops and General RUTHERFORD. This part of my service is proved by the certificate of Colonel MARTIN M___ and who resides in NC, Stokes County.” “Immediately after my return from this tour, there being a call for men to go to Wilmington, near which, in the Capes the British having appeared, I entered Captain LEAK’s company as a lieutenant, Colonel JAMES MARTIN commanding again, and we marched to Wilmington, but before we arrived, the British having continued down to Charleston, we halted and returned. I was 30 days in service in this expedition which, added to my first tour, made a little more than three months.” “I next volunteered about the first of August 1776 (being there in the first division in consequence of my first tour of service) in Captain LEAK’s company and served as lieutenant. This expedition was against the Cherokee Indians. We marched about the above date from Guilford under Colonel JAMES MARTIN to Salisbury, where we fell under the command of General RUTHERFORD. From thence we marched thro’ the wilderness to Indian nation and after having destroyed a number of their towns and villages, we returned.” “However, on twenty-first of October 1776, at Cathey’s Fort near 220 miles from home, I took the certificate marked B of JAMES HUNTER, Packmaster General, certifying that I had four horses as pack horses in the service of the expedition and a driver and the same day I took all of the sick of the company I was in and conducted them from Cathey’s Fort home, where I arrived sometime in November 1776, being out on this tour a little more than three months. This tour is also proved by Colonel MARTIN’s certificate marked A above.” [Certificate A-“I do hereby certify that I was Colonel Commandant of the militia of Guilford County in this state during the War of the Revolution. That RICHARD VERNON formerly of the said County of Guilford and now a citizen of the state of Tennessee, served under my command in the expedition against the Cherokee Indians in the year 1776. That said RICHARD was a lieutenant in Captain LEAK’s company in said expedition. That in said rank of lieutenant, he likewise served under my command in an expedition against the Scots-Tories near Fayetteville and in several other excursions against the Tories in the south part of the County of Randolph in this state.” “That Captain LEAK’s company having become too large, it was divided into two, and the said RICHARD VERNON appointed by me a captain of one of the two companies. That said RICHARD VERNON in the rank of captain served under me in he expedition against the British at Wilmington, who were commanded by Major CRAIG. And I do further certify that said RICHARD VERNON in the aforesaid expeditions and in all other duties that came under my observation or to my knowledge in any way was a well-behaved, faithful and meritorious officer. JAMES MARTIN, Sen. Commandant of the Guilford militia.”] [Certificate B-“Thereby certify that RICHARD VERNON had four horses in the service of North Carolina as packhorses, and drove said horses in the late expedition against the Indians and that said horses was delivered to one at Guilford Courthouse who was Packmaster for said county for the service of said expedition. Certified by me this twenty-first day of October, 1776. JAMES HUNTER.”] “About 15th March 1780, I volunteered in Captain BETHEL’s company in which I served as lieutenant and ROBERT NELSON as ensign. We marched about the time above stated from Guilford for the relief and defense of Charleston, SC. BETHEL’s company was attached to a regiment commanded by Colonel JAMES BRANNON in General CASWELL’s brigade. We entered South Carolina about the 1st of April 1780. We marched by Camden, from thence to a place called Monck’s Corner near Charleston, which the British, we understood, had entered as to make it impossible for us to give Charleston any assistance.” “On the 11th of April or thereabouts, the British under TARLETON attacked us at Monck’s Corners and routed us, after which we collected our scattered forces and marched to a place called the Big Savannah on Santee River, where we remained until General CASWELL with his brigade came to us, when we marched to Dupree’s Ferry on Santee where we remained some time acting as guards on the ferry until we heard of the complete fall of Charleston.” “We then under General CASWELL, fell back to Camden and from thence we marched to NC. Soon after this our term of three months expired. This tour is proved by AUSTIN SMITH’s certificate marked C who lives in Abbeville, SC, and who obtained a pension under the Act of 1818. This certificate is not certified by the clerk but by the justice of the governor of Abbeville District. We were disbanded about the last of June or first of July, having served upward of 3 months in this tour.” [Certificate C-Abbeville District, SC-“Personally appeared, AUSTIN SMITH and made oath…that he was well acquainted with RICHARD VERNON during the Revolutionary War. That he, the said RICHARD VERNON was first lieutenant of a company of militia formed at Guilford Courthouse in the state of North Carolina under the command of Captain WILLIAM BETHEL, for the relief and defense of Charleston, South Carolina, the regiment commanded by Colonel BRANNON, General CASWELL’s division or brigade. That they left Guilford some time in the month of March 1780 and entered the state of South Carolina about the first of April following. That they marched to Camden and from thence to a place called Monck’s Corner, where they understood that the British had entered and taken the town so as to render it impossible to give any assistance to the town.” “That on the 11th of April they were attacked by the British under Colonel TARLETON and routed at Monck’s Corner. That after that rout, they collected and marched to a place called the Big Savannah on the Santee River, where they remained until General CASWELL’s brigade came on. They then marched to Dupree’s Ferry on Santee, where they remained for some time acting as a guard on the ferry until they heard of the complete fall of Charleston. That they fell back to Camden with General CASWELL and thence to North Carolina where their term of service expired…” “This deponent further states that he was with the said RICHARD VERNON in September 1780 under the command of Colonel PAISLEY’s regiment of North Carolina militia under General DAVIDSON, a three months tour which service the said RICHARD VERNON acted as Lieutenant commandant, and in conclusion he saith that the said RICHARD VERNON was a good soldier and a true friend to his country…”] “About the 25th of August, 1780 and soon after GATES’ Defeat at Camden, I entered Captain PEAY’s company and served as lieutenant. We were attached to Colonel Paisley’s regiment of North Carolina militia. After rendezvousing at Guilford Courthouse, we marched under Colonel PAISLEY to Salisbury where we joined General DAVIDSON’s brigade and were marched by him to the county of Mecklenburg to McAlpin’s Creek where the British coming on us, we retreated to the north side of Yadkin River. On our retreat we were overtaken by the English and had a slight skirmish with them near Charlotte, in which ____ were killed, among whom was WILLIAM RANKINS and a Mr. LOCKE of my acquaintance.” “Captain PEAY taking sick soon after the commencement of our retreat, the command of the company devolved on me. Colonel PAISLEY was dispatched with about 70 men from headquarters on the Yadkin among which was Captain PEAY, company commanded by me, to disperse a body of about 38 Tories collected on the Shallow Ford of the Yadkin in Surrey County, NC. About the time we attacked them, they were attacked in the rear by some troops from the other side. We killed several and took 30 or 40 prisoners. Among the killed was Captain JAMES BRYANT. Colonel PAISLEY took charge of the prisoners and we conducted them to Moravian Town and left them under guard. From thence we returned to headquarters.” “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. This tour is also proved by the certificate marked C of AUSTIN SMITH, also by a receipt for a discharge of a tour of duty marked E. signed by JOHN PRATT ____, a private in PEAY’s company then under my command.” “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.” [E-November 27th, 1780-Then received of RICHARD VERNON on _____ ___certify ___ of nine pounds, six shillings for a tour of duty served with him in the militia, the year of 1780. JOHN PRATT.”] “About the 1st of February 1781, I was appointed captain in the upper part of Captain PEAY’s district, it being too large for one company, as proved by the commission marked E signed by Colonel JAMES MARTIN, there never being a date to it, or if there was, it is torn off, in pursuance of which commission I raised a company and marched under Colonel MARTIN to join General GREENE who was then retreating thro’ North Carolina. We joined in with him near Halifax, Virginia, CORNWALLIS having quit the pursuit of GREENE, turned in to Hillsborough, NC. The latter then returned back and marched into Guilford County, where I was ordered to raise a company of mounted infantry and joined him as soon as this was done. I was taken from under the command of Colonel MARTIN and was placed under BENJAMIN FORD, D.A. General of General GREENE’s army.” [Not marked E as stated above]- [“Guilford County-Captain RICHARD VERNON-These may certify that you are appointed captain of a company of foot, militia of the upper part of Captain PEAY’s district which is divided, the line to be hereafter ascertained so as equal numbers are to be in each company which you and Captain JOHN MAY can settle of the lower part. You are to nominate lieutenant and ensign, sergeant and corporal and act agreeable to militia orders as you receive them, as captain, until you receive a commission from the governor. So doing, this shall be your commission.” JAMES MARTIN, Colonel.”] “Our duty was to write expresses and pilot various detachments of our men. While we remained in Guilford, I received orders from BENJAMIN FORD, D.A. General, to receive from MCDOWELL, commandant of provost guard, a body of Tory prisoners stationed, I think, at Boyd’s Mill and conducted them to a place of greater safety, which I did. This is proved by the orders marked G and which never had any date signed by FORD. [This is not included here. A later letter indicates it was sent to the War Dept.] A further duty assigned to me and my men was to collect provisions for the army, which is proved by two receipts marked (H) & (I), dated one the 8th March 1781, the other 21st March of the same year, both signed by JOSEPH THOMAS for Colonel DAVIE, _GP? I remained here in Guilford until my term of three months service was expired and we were disbanded.” [“H-March 8th, 1781- Camp at Haw River, NC. Then received of Captain RICHARD VERNON, four head of cattle for the use of the army. JOSEPH THOMAS for Colonel DAVIE, CGP.”] [“I-March 21st, 1781, Received of Captain VERNON, eight head of cattle fore the use of the army. JOSEPH THOMAS, for Colonel DAVIE, CGP.”] “On the 13th of August 1781, I received a captain’s commission (J) to raise a company of light horsemen, signed by Colonel JAMES MARTIN. I was ordered to raise these horsemen for the purposes mentioned in the commission. I served a three months tour of duty in the capacity of captain, taking and apprehending delinquent Tories and deserters as provided by the documents marked (K).” [These were also among the things sent to the War Department.] “About the month of October, 1781, I was called out with my company under Colonel MARTIN in an expedition against the British under Major CRAIG who lay near Wilmington. After we had marched some distance on this route, my company under Colonel PAISLEY was ordered back by Colonel MARTIN to keep the Tories down. We accordingly marched back to Guilford. This is the expedition mentioned in Colonel MARTIN’s certificate marked A.” “A short time after this, the same month, a parcel of my light horsemen under me, commanded by Colonel PAISLEY marched against a certain Colonel FANNING who, lurking in Anson, Orange and other counties in North Carolina, commanded a body of Tories. A list of part of the men who were in this expedition may be seen by reference to list (L). We were out in this expedition about 5 weeks. See (M) as to October 1781. After our return from this expedition, I served until three months from October had expired and my men were disbanded.” [The list referred to was among the items sent to the War Department.] [“M- This may certify that I have received a certain sorrel mare that was pressed by Captain VERNON at my house from the 27th of October, 1781 & I say received by me---JOB WARD January 12th 1782.”] “In the commencement of 1782, I recruited the minute company as mine was called and served as a captain apprehending, taking deserters, Tories and delinquents, until peace was declared. For proof, see documents marked (N). All the particular expeditions I cannot recollect, but know I employed almost entirely in the service during 1782 until peace.” [N-Jan’y 28th, 1781-I do hereby acknowledge to be bound, b___ for b___ for my son BENJ. LAND who is a Continental soldier during the present war, as he has deserted and been apprehended and taken by Captain RICHARD VERNON, company of light horse under my ______ and doth hereby agree to ?present him when called for by said Captain VERNON ____ thereof ___ ___bind myself ___ ____ ____ or administer ____ ____ ___ what I have as above acknowledged to ___ witness my hand this date above mentioned.” ____ LAND Certify that Mr. LAND complied with his agreement, RICHARD VERNON”] “State the names of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental an militia regiments as you can recollect…” “There was Colonel ALEXANDER MARTIN who commanded the 1st regiment of NC regular troops, Colonel HOWARD commanded the Maryland troops. General MORGAN commanded the Virginia troops and General GREENE, while in Guilford, besides Colonel JAMES MARTIN, who commanded the militia of Guilford, General CASWELL commander of the NC militia. General RUTHERFORD who commanded in the two expeditions where I was, against the Scots Tories and the Indians in 1776 and General DAVIDSON who was a regular officer…” Did you ever receive a commission? “I never received a regular commission for lieutenancy, tho’ I served four 3-month tours as such, and took the oath of office and was ranked in court martials as one. I must have had a certificate from Colonel MARTIN, but I do not recollect it. I have two certificates for captaincy, one of the foot and the other of the horsemen, signed by Colonel MARTIN, now in my possession.” [RICHARD VERNON 1 order signed BEN FORD, D.A. Gen, undated 1 order signed JA. MARTIN, Col. dated Jan. 3, 1782 1 order signed JN. CAMPBELL, Lieut. 4 NC regt, dated July 1, 1782 1 receipt signed Jn. CAMPBELL, Lt NC Cont.4 regt, dated July 24, 1782 The above papers have been removed of this case to be forwarded to the War Dept and are locked up in the Record Div. D.W. August 4, 1910. Sent to War Dept Jan. 16, 1913 VALENTINE ALLEN 2 steers @ five years old IGNATIUS CANNON 2 steers @ 2 years old WILLIAM AUSTIN 1 ?Det @ 3 years old ISAAC WHITWORTH 1 mare @ 2 years old ?I. P. HAYS 1 bull @ 5 years old ROBERT MCNAMARA 1 steer 3 years old JOHN RITE [?WRIGHT] 1 steer @ 3 years old BENJAMIN BRITAIN 2 steers @ 3 years old] Williamson County, TN-May 9, 1837- GEORGE PEAY-“…That he was acquainted with Captain RICHARD VERNON in the time of the Revolutionary War and was in the service with him. That the said Captain RICHARD VERNON and the deponent were then resident of Guilford County, NC in the immediate vicinity of each other and the deponent further saith that he has a personal knowledge of the tours of service stated by the said Captain RICHARD VERNON herein stated.” “The deponent and RICHARD VERNON volunteered in 1776 sometime in the month of February as private soldiers under Captain JOHN LEAK and joined the regiment commanded by Colonel JAMES MARTIN at Guilford Courthouse and marched on an expedition to Cross Creek against the Highland Scots and Tories and was accredited and paid for a three months tour. In the same year in June following, under the same officers, we marched to Salisbury. We then marched on near Pleasant Gardens on the Catawba River, and there awaited the arrival of General RUTHERFORD with the balance of the troops. From there we marched on to the Cherokee nations of Indians on the Tennessee River. We destroyed several towns, cut down their corn, remained there several weeks. We then returned home in October and was accredited and paid for four months.” “In the year 1780, the deponent saith that he went to a place called New Providence in Mecklenburg, NC and on his arrival, he found RICHARD VERNON acting as a captain under General DAVIDSON. The deponent saith that he does of his own personal knowledge know that said RICHARD VERNON did perform the tour to Cross Creek and the Cherokee nation…” From a letter by J. L. Edwards, Esq, dated Fayetteville, February 2nd , 1835: “Mr. JOHN GIBSON thus writes-You request me to give information relative to the time RICHARD VERNON served in the Revolutionary War. There is living at this time in Williamson County, TN, a RICHARD VERNON who I am informed draws a pension of $470 from government. If he is the VERNON you refer to, I will relate as near as I can recollect his services that he rendered in the Revolutionary War.” “VERNON and myself were raised to manhood in Guilford County, NC and were enrolled in the same militia company under the same officers during the Revolutionary War. Vernon cannot be entitled to the pension he draws. Neither do I believe he was in actual service half the time of two years. I will now state my reasons and what I do know to be facts. In the latter end of the year 1776 there was a call for militia men from the company I belonged to, four or five months tour as it was called. I myself was drafted as one of the number. I believe at that time, Vernon was not on the muster roll. The time of militiamen’s service after the time referred to above was reduced to 3 months to the close of the war, unless a person would volunteer a longer time. I will now relate what I do know to be facts relative to Mr. VERNON in the year ’81.” “In February, the British under the command of LORD CORNWALLIS in pursuit of General GREENE, as they marched through Guilford County, the militia in general turned out against the enemy. I, myself volunteered under the command of Captain THOMAS COOK, marched down Dan River into the state of Virginia, thence back to Guilford County, NC. On our return to our own county, I saw Mr. VERNON. He stated that himself and all the men that had horses were attached to the commissary department and that he himself had the command. We were in the company till after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, and were then dismissed. The time I myself was then in service was seven weeks. Mr. VERNON was not in service at that time more than two months.” “In October of the same year, 1781, the militiamen of Guilford County were ordered into service under the command of Colonel PAISLEY. Captain JOHN MAY commanded a company of horsemen. Mr. VERNON at that time was called lieutenant under Captain MAY. The time of service at this time could not exceed six weeks, which closed our services in the revolution in the section of the country Mr. VERNON and I lived.” “I have been informed that Mr. VERNON was in possession of papers and documents sufficient to establish his claim at the War Department. If he had such papers it is doubtful with me, whether they are genuine. Any person, towards the close of the war, if they thought proper, could procure a small party to join them, especially against the Tories, went out a few days and have the title of captain, return to a field officer and obtain a discharge for more months when they had actually served weeks.” “There were many near the close of the revolution, like the Pharisees of old, that love to be called (Robbi) captain and Mr. VERNON was of that class. I state this as a ___ that I suppose it will have any influence on the subject of your request.” Lincoln County, Tennessee-JOHN GIBSON-“That RICHARD VERNON…and himself were raised to manhood in Guilford County, NC, and were mustered under the same militia officers (excepting when ordered into actual service) during the War of the Revolution. This deponent knows Mr. VERNON to be in service in the year 1781, at the time the British under the command of LORD CORNWALLIS was in Guilford County. Mr. VERNON then said that he had the appointment of commander of such of the Guilford militia as had horses, with orders to collect cattle for the troops.” “A very short time after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, this deponent avers that all the Guilford militia were dismissed, and that Mr. VERNON did not serve at that time, a term exceeding two months if so much.” “In October or November of the same year, the Guilford militia were ordered into service under the command of Colonel PAISLEY, who was then Colonel of the Guilford militia. Mr. VERNON was at that time, a lieutenant under Captain JOHN MAY, and under Captain MAY, this deponent deposes that Mr. VERNON did not serve more than six weeks, which term of service closed the services of the Guilford militia during the war of that period.” “…This deponent states that he knew a certain JAMES MARTIN who was called a Colonel of Guilford militia in the year 1781, and that he saw said MARTIN in camp a few days previous to the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, but dos not recollect that he held any special command at that time.” “In the fall of the same year, Colonel MARTIN was first in command of a considerable number of militias against the Tories and marched to the southern part of North Carolina on Raft Swamp and Drowning Creek. This deponent was there with Colonel MARTIN and well knows that VERNON was not; for this deponent obtained a short furlough on a special occasion, returned home, and found VERNON there. In a short time, subsequently, VERNON turned out as Lieutenant under Captain MAY as before stated, and marched under Colonel PAISLEY into Chatham and Randolph Counties against the Tories…” “Lincoln County, Tennessee, May 28th, 1835-J. L. Edwards, Esq.-Yours of the 7th Inst. reached me on the 23rd. I had, 2 days previously, obtained Mr. GIBSON’s affidavit and shall forward it as soon as I can have it authenticated. You will receive it and this, by the same mail. In a conversation on the subject, which I held yesterday with my father-in-law, Major WILLIAM SMITH, he stated a fact to me of which I was not before aware Viz. That when GIBSON first determined on applying for a pension in his own case, he wrote to VERNON desiring him, if he could, to testify to his (GIBSON’s) services; and that Vernon did not answer.” “Now of Mr. GIBSON’s veracity, there is no doubt among those who know him, indeed I think there cannot, in justice, be even the slightest. How much and how far the silence of Mr. VERNON was calculated to influence the feelings of GIBSON your knowledge of human nature will enable you to judge. I believe, however, if he were moved by that consideration at all, he himself was unconscious of it. The whole affair has been a source of pain to him and he has often wished that he had nothing to do in it. SMITH tells me that from his own account as related by himself to SMITH, GIBSON was absent from North Carolina much of the time during which Vernon alleges he served…ISAAC SOUTHWORTH.” Fayetteville, May 30th, 1835-J.L. Edwards, Esq. “Enclosed I, at last, hand you the affidavit of JOHN GIBSON, in the case of RICHARD VERNON. As I live 6 miles distant from this place and have been much engaged since its date, I have been unable to obtain, any sooner, the clerk’s certificate and county seal.” You will perceive that the affidavit is in my handwriting. It was nonetheless copied from a manuscript prepared by the old gentleman himself, from which it differs in nothing but grammatical construction. The following remarks are made by the particular desire of Mr. GIBSON.” “You will notice that he has not sworn that VERNON did not perform his alleged services, but merely that it is his belief he did not, and that he has sworn to some specific services which he knows VERNON did perform.” “He knows nothing of the Colonel JAMES GRADE you mention. If there was any officer of that or any other rank in Guilford so named, he never heard of it. He thinks if Colonel JAMES MARTIN be yet living, he must be nearly, if not quite an hundred years old and he thinks that by applying to some of the pensioners in Surrey, Rockingham or Guilford counties, NC, a full knowledge of VERNON’s real services may be obtained, but does not mention because he does not recollect names.” Very respectfully, ISAAC SOUTHWORTH.” “House of Representatives-Jan. 6th, 1836: Sir, A revolutionary pensioner by the name of VERNON, late of Davidson County, now of Williamson County, TN, informed me that he had been struck from the roll of pensioners on the alleged ground of his having been a Tory. I took a memorandum of his name and grade and regiment which I have lost or mislaid, and only recollect that he was an officer in the North Carolina line.” “I took some pains to enquire into his character and was informed it was highly respectable, and that he was incapable of basing an application for a pension on perjury and false pretenses. Believing as I do that injustice, unintentional of course, has been done him by the department, I request to be informed of the grounds upon which his pension has been discontinued.”-H. P. ? Maury” “Personally appeared…George Chadwell…made oath that RICHARD VERNON…made application through him [George Chadwell] to Colonel JAMES MARTIN of North Carolina for a certificate showing that he had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The deponent says that there was given a certificate to that effect, which certificate said deponent delivered to said RICHARD VERNON…” “Personally appeared…Samuel C. Peay, and made oath that RICHARD VERNON… handed to him a letter to Colonel JAMES MARTIN…the contents of the letter was for a certificate showing that he had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. I handed said letter to Alfred Scales, the son-in-law of Colonel MARTIN, who promised to deliver said letter to Colonel MARTIN, which he did, as said Scales has since told me…” Davidson County, TN-“Personally appeared…PETER LESLEY…and made oath that he, said LESLEY was well acquainted with RICHARD VERNON during the Revolutionary War. That sometime early in the spring of 1780, we rendezvoused at Guilford Courthouse, state of North Carolina under WILLIAM BETHEL, Captain, and said RICHARD VERNON, lieutenant, ROBERT NELSON, ensign. We then took the line of march to South Carolina by way of Salisbury, where we met with General RUTHERFORD, who gave us our orders to march to Charleston by way of Camden to Monck’s Corner, where we understood that the British had surrounded Charleston so that we could not get in there, where we lay a few days and was routed by the enemy under Colonel TARLETON.” “From thence we retreated to the north side of the Santee River where we lay until the arrival of Brigadier General WILLIAM CASWELL from North Carolina. We then joined a regiment called the third regiment of North Carolina militias, Colonel JAMES BRANNON our field officer, where we continued as guards to the ferries on said river until we heard that Charleston had surrendered to the British.” “We then retreated to North Carolina by way of Camden, from thence to the Cheraw Hills on the Pedee River, from thence to Fayetteville in North Carolina where we were detached under the command of Colonel MCDOWELL to guard some wagons loaded with public salt to the County of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, our time of service being out when we was disbanded to return to our own homes. The above is ___red by the said Lieutenant RICHARD VERNON and said PETER LESLEY.” “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…” “…further saith that several events took place whilst he was on this tour of duty which said RICHARD VERNON reminds him of, that makes said deponent believe that said RICHARD VERNON must have been in said service. One event which said Lieutenant states: That one evening when we were dismissed from parade, the adjutant gave word to face to the right about and lodge arms and a gun fired accidentally and shot one JOHN BRAWLEY through the body and he fell dead, and said deponent heard the gun and saw the man fall and died as said VERNON states, and the regiment was discharged about the 25th of November 1780, Camp New Providence…” Nashville-March 1834-“Sir, I deem it my duty to advise you that a Mr. I. Fields of Franklin in Williamson County in this state, called on me this morning to ascertain upon what data RICHARD VERNON draws so heavy a pension as $420 per annum. I could not answer the question being ignorant of the rules by which you fix the rate of each pension. He states that he made the inquiry at the instance [insistence?] of a man who knew VERNON from a boy and ?enlisted in service ?together, therefore surprised at the amount of pension allowed him and from a conviction that the government must have been imposed upon in VERNON’s application. He requested Mr. Fields to make the above inquiry, for to his knowledge, Vernon served only about 60 days in the taking of LORD CORNWALLIS, and that service was attached to the Quarter Master’s department. VERNON is rated as Captain and Lieutenant in his certificate.” “A Memorandum of military services of RICHARD VERNON, __known to have been written by him, having no signature to it. “I here mean to memorialize the service that I performed in the Revolutionary War: Vizt, I went into service about the 15th of February 1776 under Captain JOHN LEAK and Colonel JAMES MARTIN after the Scotch Tories in the lower part of North Carolina, and continued in service with a 2nd call which completed a tour of three months.” “Item second- I volunteered about the 1st of July 1776 and went to the Cherokee nation of Indians under the aforesaid Colonel MARTIN and was discharged about the first of November, something more than 3 months. This was a hard tour for I had 4 horses in the pack service and on our return to a place called Cathey’s Fort, I took the 3 sick men in Captain LEAK’s company and conducted them home. Imputed to be about 220 miles.” “The next tour, I volunteered in the capacity of Lieutenant to go to Charleston in South Carolina on the 23rd of February, 1780, and got to a town called Monck’s Corner, and there were defeated by the British. We retreated back over Santee River and waited till Brigadier General CASWELL came on from North Carolina. We then formed a regiment and was commanded by him. Charleston surrendered. We then retreated into North Carolina and about the ninth of June we was dismissed.” “And in 1780, I volunteered as a lieutenant under Captain GEORGE PEAY on the 15th of September. He served under General DAVIDSON and the captain was taken sick and I took command of the company as Lieutenant commandant and served three months.” “And about the first of February, I was ordered by Colonel MARTIN to collect the company and march and join General GREENE at Guilford Courthouse, but was prevented by the enemy, but continued to march and joined General Greene at Halifax Courthouse in Virginia and continued under his command till some time after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina. This tour I served as captain.” “Then on the 20th day of August 1781, I was appointed to enlist 30 men as mounted infantry to serve with good horses and find ourselves. While on this service, I had two excursions in the joining counties. The first one, myself and a lieutenant with 28 men captured between 25 and 30 Tories collected to raise a company to go to the British and ___ captain was killed, the same night about 2 miles of us. This happened near the old regulation battleground.” “In a few weeks after we was called out again under Colonel PAISLEY and was joined by Major O’NEAL of Orange County, and we was ranging after the Tories about five weeks. Colonel MARTIN in his certificate mentions a number more ? adjacent. Next tours in the neighboring county after the Tories some 20 days 25- 30-15 and ten days.” “Fayetteville, TN, July 30th, 1835 J.L. Edwards, Esq.-“Although many of the remnants of men who participated in the struggle which faced us from British dominion are deep in the vale of poverty and destitute of literary acquirements, it is worthy of remark that they most of them entertain and exercise a high degree of honor, which, at least is the fact of those with whom I have the pleasure to be acquainted. Whatever their foibles may be, let an imputation be cast upon their veracity or even let them imagine that the truth of their allegations is doubted, the fire which animated them when in the morn of life, they battled for that freedom and their sons enjoy, is rekindled and burns with ____ luster. Prompt to defend their own and others rights and ever ready to redress the wronged, they will never do either at the expense of holy, sacred Truth. I will not say that some of them are not fastidiously sensitive upon this subject, be it _____ ____ if such a thing can be-an _____ to name, a righteous fault.” “Mr. JOHN GIBSON, at whose instance I now address you, is of this class of man. Feeling that his truth in the affair of VERNON, might possibly be doubted, he determined to adduce such further testimony in this as might be within his reach, and thus corroborated his own statements and aid the department to arrive at just conclusions. In conformity with this ?necessity, he sometime since, wrote to NATHANIEL SCALES, Esq, [a relative of GIBSON’s] postmaster at Mays [Rockingham County], North Carolina, requesting him to make certain inquiries. Mr. SCALES answered him under date of July 6th. I transcribe that portion of his letter which relates to VERNON and give it to you verbatim et literatim et punctuation.” “Captain RICHARD VERNON and his services during the war. I have made diligent inquiries about him, but almost all those old revolutionary worthies are now numbered with the dead, so that but little information can be obtained. Mr. CHESLEY BARNES states that he was in the service with Mr. VERNON, but how long he served he cannot tell, though he served some considerable time after he left.” “Mr. WILLIAM WRIGHT states that he was in the service with him but how long he served he cannot tell. He further states that he does not recollect the date when Mr. VERNON left Rockingham but recollects that he was and had been living for several years near the mouth of the Mays River, that he has not been in this county since he left, to his certain knowledge. That he left the county by the aid of his children, but at what time none has said. My own impression is that he moved away in 1825 or 6 and am very confident he has not been back since.” “How he obtained Colonel MARTIN’s affidavit is somewhat strange to me. I know of application having been made to him by a friend of Blackhead, NAT. SCALES of the state of Ohio, and the old gentleman replied that he had grown so old and the war had so long passed by that he could not identify any soldier who served under him.” “I received a letter from a friend in the state of Indiana requesting me to apply to him and obtain his affidavit so as to enable him to draw a pension. I done so and he states to me the same as stated in the case just related, Mr. VERNON having acted as captain. This might have strengthened his recollection so that he could safely make affidavit for him.” “You also wish to know if Colonel MARTIN is yet alive, if not how and where he died. I think he died suddenly sometime in the later part of last fall at his residence in Stokes County, on Snow Creek. It would therefore now be sufficient to ascertain before whom the affidavit in question was made (if at all.)” “Here Mr. SCALES drops the subject, but near the conclusion of a very long letter upon domestic affairs, resumes it by briefly remarking: “Further Mr. WILLIAM WRIGHT spoken of, married the sister of VERNON’s wife; and that WRIGHT and VERNON, throughout a long series of years, were in habits of close intimacy. I may have, with propriety, observe that the letter to SCALES contained nothing more upon the subject of VERNON’s claim, than a few plain questions of a nature calculated to elicit the above reply…” File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/guilford/military/revwar/pensions/vernon284gmt.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ncfiles/ File size: 39.6 Kb