MONTGOMERY COUNTY, NC - MILITARY - William Poplin, Revolutionary War Pension Application ----¤¤¤---- REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION APPLICATION - WILLIAM POPLIN Pension Records, Revolutionary War soldiers (Film 0971952) William Poplin W 10231 North Carolina Wife's name was Lucy. 16.180 William Poplin of Montgomery co NC was a private in the company commanded by Col Alston in North Carolina for 9 months. He was placed on the roll 12 July 1833. State of North Carolina, Montgomery co, 10 Oct 1832 appeared in court William Poplin, resident of said county and state, 83 y/o. He was born Feb 1749 and when he entered service, he lived in Chatham co. Col Philip Alston raised a troop of horsemen in Chatham co who were engaged to serve 3 months and they marched into South Carolina to join General Ashe's army who was then in South Carolina not far from Charleston. They joined said army near the Santin River and Poplin was placed under the command of Col Alston and Capt Walsh (who came from Taylorsville NC). From this place, Ashe's army crossed the Santin River at Nihon's Ferry leaving Charleston about 9 miles to the left and thence up the Savannah River to the town of Savannah Georgia where part of the British army was stationed. Ashe's army moved to Augusta andt hence to Brier Creek in pursuit of the British who tore up the bridge at Brier Creek. Ashe's army halted here for about a week and was attacked by the British who had re- crossed the river. The Americans were defeated and 130 American prisoners were taken including Poplin. The prisoners were taken about 15 miles down the river to Savannah where for a week to 10 days they were confined in a large house built for a church. From here they were carried down to the mouth of the Savannah River and put on board a prison ship that was laying there. Poplin was confined here with other prisoners for about 6 months when he was induced from fear of starving to death to enlist in the British service. During his imprisonment he was given a pint of rice a day and 3/4 pounds of fresh beef a week. He left Col Alston on the same prison ship. After enlisting in British service he was carried up the to Savannah and made to work on the fortifications there for 4 to 5 weeks. At the time, Savannah was surrounded by the American Army under General Lincoln on one side and the French on the other. Poplin escaped and went to General Lincoln who allowed him to go home to Chatham. A guard accompanied Poplin and others that were in a similar situtation to the Cumber River. Poplin stayed in Chatham about 12 months and moved to Moore county where he lived 3-4 years and then moved to Montgomery county where he has lived ever since. He had a certified affadavit from Hudson Taylor who lived in Chatham co when Poplin returned from service. #3317 Lucy Poplin widow of William Poplin who died 2 June 1835 was placed on the roll 13 June 1835 24 April 1840 in Montgomery co NC, Lucy Poplin, aged 89 year appeared and swore that she was the widow of William Poplin late a pensioner of this county. She married William Poplin 1767 or 1768 prior to his service in the Revolutionary War. They married in Chatham county but she had no documentary evidence. She said they were married by Justice of the Peace, Simon Poe. William Poplin died in Montgomery co 2 Jan 1835. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Pam Shelton-Anderson (pshelton1@compuserve.com) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------