HAWKINS COUNTY, TN - MILITARY - Isaac Thresher, Sr. Pension Application
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Contributor's Note:  Following is a transcript of a pension application 
submitted by my ggggGrandfather, Isaac Thresher, Sr., in 1860.  A typed copy 
was sent to me nine years ago in a package of information compiled by Hazele 
Thresher Johnson.  I have not seen the original.  I re-typed it without 
editing for spelling or punctuation.   My impression is that the document was 
dictated by him and written by someone else, since the name Thresher is 
misspelled Thrasher in the body of the application, but the signature is 
Thresher.  This is a common occurrence since most people outside the family 
usually spell it with the "a" instead of the"e".  The pension was granted in 
the amount of $10 a month.
Other records show his birth date as 1764, and the place as two days 
out at sea.  We know from this application that his father's name was 
William, but as yet I have no record of the family before that time.
The letter of application reads as follows:


                                                        28 January 1860


To the Commissioner of Pensions

The application of Isaac Thrasher of Hawkins Co. Te. would 
respectfully show that his military service for the United States is as 
follows:

1.  Isaac Thrasher, (as I have been informed) was born two days sail 
from land, when my parents came to the United States, and my parents 
first settled near Harper's Ferry at a place called Bullskin; from thence 
they removed, taking me along with them to Guilford Co N. C. and settled 
on Little Buffalo Creek in that Co.  I was in that County, and in my 
sixteenth year, when the British was ravaging western Carolina, and by the 
advice of my grandfather I served in my father's (William) name in Capt. Hugh
Fabush's foot compy, and under his command.  I was in the Battle of 
King's Mountain, and shot at the enemy four or five times; this was in 
October 1780, as I now remember, Ned Whit, after this battle took my place in 
the compy.  (in consequence of my being injured by sticking a thorn thru 
my moccasin) and I was released from further duty in that war.

After the Revolution and my father's death, I came to what was then 
as now Washington Co. Te. 56 years ago, or thereaboughts; and was in said 
County on the breaking out of the War of 1812.  In October 1813, I 
volunteered under Capt. Jacob Hartsell of said County, and served a four 
months campaign in that war, and was honorably discharged.  This service 
was mainly performed at and near Ft. Armstrong, which fort I helped to 
build.

After this campaign I resided in said County, until Sept. of the year
1814, when I was drafted in a detachment of infantry under Lt. Peter 
Miller (was of 40 men) and was marched to Knoxville, and then mustered into
service for a six months campaign under Capt. Lawson and Wm. Johnson.

After remaining at Knoxville a short time, we took up the line of 
March for Mobile, Ala.; we arrived at Lookout Mountain, on the Tennessee River 
below Knoxville, and then was about the 1st October, Lt. Miller was 
detailed from said compy. with about 25 men, to transport munition to between 
that place and the Forts on the Coosa River in Alabama.  I was marched and we 
reached Ft. Strother, where we rested, the march being very fatiguing and 
injurious to the health of the soldiers.  We then started on, after having 
remained a few days, but the labor and fatigue of the march were too great for 
me, and I agave out on the way, from exhaustion, sickness, and the pains 
induced from exposure and fatigue.  This was about the last of October, or 
1st No. 1814; and when we had reached within about 10 miles of Ft. Claiborne, 
the Captain sent me, with one Wm. Gunn to act as nurse, to the ?Fort to 
be put in the hospital at that place.  I remained in the hospital, lying on 
my back & almost on the ground, (for the hospital was merely an open shed
built of pine logs) for about two months.  There were about 66 men in 
these quarters; with little attention or doctoring; and had it not have 
been for a strong constitution, and a cheerful spirit I would have died, as 
many others did.  As it was I somewhat recovered and when Lt. Miller, 
about the 10 Jany. '15, came along, collecting the recovering soldiers, I 
concluded to go on, for I disliked to stay at such a hospital; and in compy. 
with Lt. Miller, I went to Mobile, and there remained, and did some duty, and
remained there until the 2nd March 1815, when we were furloughed for
discharge to Jonesboro Te.  Whilst at Mobile, my right knee swelled  up, and
I was again rendered probably unfit for duty; I was taken with pains in my
right hip, in fact I found that I was afflicted generally with rheumatism.
When I was discharged I was still afflicted with these pains; and I have
been afflicted more or less with it ever since.  I resided in Washington
Co. about 12 years after the service, & then removed to Green Co. where I
lived some years; when I removed to Hawkins Co. adjoining, and near
Washington, where I have ever since resided, over about 25 years.

I state further that my affliction began to cripple me so much that 
I mostly followed the business of a shoemaker being less exposed:  but 
the rheumatism gradually increased upon me until for over 25 years I have 
been a complete cripple; have to hobble about with a staff' my right leg & 
thigh are most disabled but I am more or less afflicted all over my body 
with pains of a rhematic character; live in a valley beyond Bay's Mountain,
and own not a particle of property out of which I can make a living.   
Some eight or ten years ago, I had some papers drawn up to apply for a 
pension, but I was taken very low, and lay some time, and I neglected to have 
my case fully drawn up.  I was also determined to get along as long as I 
could without making application from a feeling of pride.   I was in the
Revolution & twice out in the War of 1812, and I had some cause to 
boast; but now I am utterly helpless, and being in my 95th year, and likely 
to become a burden upon the support & kindness of my friends, I ask a 
pension on account of the disabilities I now suffer, and which were 
originally contracted whilst a soldier in Capt. Lawson's Compy. in the War of 
1812; and I herewith present the best proofs I can adduce of my injuries, 
for my officers, and comrades being either all dead, or removed to parts 
unknown, I cannot furnish any additional proof at present than the statements 
of Lt. Miller & Jos'h Brill which are herewith filed.

I therefore most respectfully ask that the Commissioner of Pensions will
put my name upon the Pension List, Roll of the Jonesboro Te. Agency, at
such dates as shall be certified and that he will recognize A. G. Graham,
of Jonesboro Te. as my agent & file this claim, & present it to the
consideration of the proper department.


                                                        Isaac Thresher


Sworn and subscribed before me 28 January 1860.