LINCOLN COUNTY, NC - MILITARY - John Helms, Rev War Pension Application ======================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: John Helms SHELMSJ@aol.com ======================================================================== National Archives Pension Statement of JOHN HELMS: North Carolina Lincoln County On this 16th day of July personally appeared in open Court before the County Court of Lincoln now sitting, JOHN HELM, a resident Lincoln County and State of North Carolina, aged 72 years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth make the following declaration upon oath in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated: he first entered the American Army as a substitute for his father, JACOB HELMS in the year 1774 or 1775 in the County of Botetourt Co, State of Virginia, where he then lived, but does not remember the month, he being illiterate and very old, but thinks it was in the month of October of that year. That he was commanded by Captain William Breant & Colonel John Lewis. That he marched from there to the backs of Greenbrier in Virginia and from there through the wilderness to Fort Pitt. That he was in no engagement during this tour, that he was about 16 years of age when he entered the army at this time and he served six months in this tour. Was discharged by Captain Breant according to his present recollection & has lost said discharge, if he ever had one in writing. That he does not know that he has any documentary evidence to prove this term of his service & that he does not know of any person now in this state who can prove this term of his service. That he moved from Botetourt County State of Virginia into Rowan County North Carolina in the year 1780 and that he volunteered in August or September of said year and joined the American army at the Six Mile Creek in Rowan County North Carolina under Captain Smith. Marched from there to Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, N. Carolina from thence to Rocky River, from there he was marched to near the place now called Cheraw Hills, South Carolina, from there he was marched towards the place where the Battle of the Cowpens S. Carolina was fought to join Genl. Morgan's army. But the battle was over before he arrived or met General Morgan & that he meet the prisoners who were taken at that battle between Charlotte N. Carolina and the battle ground. That he was then marched back to Salisbury, N. Carolina to build a stockade & to guard the prisoners, that he was there discharged. That this term of service lasted three months. Was discharged he thinks by Captain Smith but has lost his discharge. That he knew Generals Morgan & Green. JOHN HELMS further states that he returned to the State of Virginia in the month of July or August in the year 1781 to Botetourt County. That he again volunteered in said county as an American Soldier in the U.S. Army in the month, he thinks, of August or July 1781, under Captain John Swift & Col. Samuel Lewis. That he knew General Washington during this time & was under his command. That he was first marched to Richmond, State of Virginia & from thence to Williamsburg & from thence to Little York Was in several light engagements at that place or in its vicinity. That he served in this campaign three months, took sick, was put in the hospital & beleives He was discharged by the Surgeon who attended him, whose name he does not now recollect & he lost his discharge & has no documentary evidence to prove this or any other part of his services in the Revolution & knows of no person in this state who can prove this term of his service. JOHN HELM states further that he was born, he thinks, about the year 1761 -- in the County of Botetourt Co, State of Virginia, as he has been informed, but has no record of his age. Lived in Botetourt County Virginia where he first entered the Army of the U. States. Has lived in the County of Lincoln, North Carolina ever since the close of the Revolution and still lives in said County. He states that he is known to John Wacaster and George Wacaster who reside in his immediate neighborhood & who have known him for many years & knows that he is generally respected in his neighborhood to have been a soldier in the Revolution & that the Reverend Hugh Quin-- has known him for several years & knows that it is generally reputed in his neighborhood that he was a soldier in the Revolution & these men can also testify to his character & veracity & that they believe he was a soldier in the American Army during the Revolution and & served as herein stated. He the said HELMS does hereby relinquish all & every claim whatsoever to a pension for annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state. his JOHN X HELMS mark Lincoln Open Court V. McBell 26. 455 John Helm Admit as a private 12 months $40 D. Reinhardt Lincolnton REVOLUTIONARY PENSION PACKET W.3811 National Archives ADDITIONAL PAPERS: North Carolina Lincoln County I Patty Whistenhunt aged about 64 years & a resident of said county do certify that I am well acquainted with JOHN HELMS the present applicant & who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that she knew him in the State of Virginia & knew him when he entered the army under Capt. Lewis as above stated & saw him start. She believes that he is 72 years old, that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that she concurs in that opinion. Polly x Whistenhunt We, Hugh Quinn a clergyman residing in the County of Lincoln North Carolina & George Wacaster who resides in the same state & county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with JOHN HELMS who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be 72 years of age, that he is reputed & believed in his neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion. George Wacaster Hugh Quin John served under. Capt William Briout Col. John Lewis Gen Morgan Capt Smith Capt Green Col. Samuel Lewis Gen. Washington