WARREN COUNTY, TN - MILITARY - Thomas Brown, Revolutionary War Pension Application ----¤¤¤---- BROWN, Thomas, RWS #S3059, NC & SC Line Transcribed by Mary Lu Johnson Warren Co., State of Tenn., roll of West Tenn, private 14 months, amount of $46.66, company commanded by Capt. Of regt commanded by C. C. McDonald. State of Tennessee County of Warren }S.S. On the 8th day of October 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Please and Quarter Sessions for the County of Warren aforesaid now now sitting there being present the worshipfull William McGreger Samuel Denby & Anson Higginbotham Esqs presiding justices of said Court Thomas Brown a Resident in the County of Warren and State of Tennessee aged Eighty years some time last February, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated: In the early part of the year of 1776 it was apprehended in North Carolina that the British meditated an attack upon Wilmington in that State it was said that a large number of Scots who resided in that State were unbodying themselves under a Scotch Col. By the name of Mcdonald with a view of marching against that Town and with the expectation of joining the British forces who were expected - there about that time, to oppose which and defend the Town the North Carolina Malitia was called into the service and perhaps some from the adjoining States, applicant who was then a resident in Tryon County in that State (now Rutherford) entered the service some time about the first of the second week in March 1776. he volunteered and joined a Company commanded by Captain James Mcfadgin, he attached himself to the Company at a Town called Gilbert Town on Cathis Creek a branch of Broad river and in Tryon County State of North Carolina, of which Company Adam Hampton was Lieutenant and Andy Mcfadgin insign his Company was attached to a Regiment commanded by James Goines Col. Commandant and by Andrew Hampton Col, Lieutenant [no name] He does not recollect the name of the Major. He rendezvoued and was mustered into service at Gilbert Town various other companies did also, and in a few days was marched on in the direction to Wilmington. They passed Salisbury crossed the Catauba river, from there they were marched across the Adkin river crossing at Stones ferry his understanding is that as soon as they crossed the river at Stones ferry that they entered Surry County, N.C. not far from the ferry his Regiment formed a Junction with a large army commanded as he thinks by General Rutherford consisting all together of upwards of more than Nine thousand men all destined to the same place and for the same purpose. They were then marched to a little Town on Cross Creek now called Fayateville, from there to Campbelltown not far from Cross Creek, there they found Col Caswell and were informed that the Scoch Col Mcdonald had been attacked by Col Caswell and others and that he was taken prisoner his forces defeated many of them killed and others captured some of them were then confined in Campbeltown. Hearing nothing of the british and the Scots having been defeated, the army was marched back from Campbelltown, to Cross Creek where they remained for something like a week from there they were marched back to the place of rendezvouse, and went with a few exceptions the same rout that they did in their march towards Wilmington, in in [sic] returning they crossed the Catauba at Tuckosige ford They were detained on their return home several weeks in receiving the submission and parolling of Tories, He owned at Gilbert Town in Tryon County State of North Carolina some time in the month of April 1776, and was there and there verbally discharged by his Captain James McFadgin in this Tour he served seven weeks from there he went to one Hayes in Tryon with whom he had learnt the hatters trade he worked with him at the hatters business until he earnt and received from him two five dollar hats he then went to the residence of this father William Brown who lived in the Waxaw settlement in South Carolina upon his arrival there he was informed by his father that he his father was drafted into the service and that in consequence of him having a large family and harvest being near at hand he was disinclined to serve and requested applicant to serve his tour which was six weeks for him as a substitute which applicant agreed to and did do. He rendezvoused as he now thinks at Camden South Carolina, does not know what county it is or was in, he was then mustered into the service in the first of June 1776 was attached to a Company commanded by Captain John Barkley, the Insign of which was Robert Harper doesn't recollect the name of the Lieutenant. His company was attached to a Regiment commanded by Cols Joseph and Ely Kershaw as he now thinks he does not recollect the names of the majors either of this or the former Tour, from Campden he with his Regiment was marched pretty briskly to Charleston South Carolina, crossing the Santee River at Nelsons ferry upon his arrival in Charleston he saw the British Ships. Regiment was attached to the Army there commanded by General Lee, when he got to Charleston he saw the British Shipps at anchor, he was detained in Charleston and employed as a sentinel he witnessed the attack of the British upon Sullivans Island which he thinks was in the latter part of June he saw one or more of the British ships burning on the day of the attack. The Island to the best of his recollection is about three miles from Charleston. He remained in Charleston until his Tour expired which was some time in July 1776, he can not state the precise time when and where he was verbally discharged by his Captain John Barkley. In this Tour he served six weeks. Immediately or at least in a day or two he cannot state the precise time after the expiration of his last above mentioned Tour, he again entered the service in the month of July 1776, he volunteered for a Tour of Six weeks in Charleston South Carolina. He volunteered in a company commanded by Captain John Kenedy of which he thinks Hugh White was the Lieutenant he does not recollect the name of the ensign. This company constituted a part of Cols Joseph and Ely Cashaws [Kershaw's]Regiment consequently he remained in the same regiment it was commanded by Cols Joseph and Ely Cashaw he does not now recollect which of these was the Col. Commandant or Lieutenant nor does he recollect the names of the Majors at this time during the greater portion of this Tour he remained in Charleston and was employed most usually as a watch & sentinel once in the time he was marched to the Savana river and back to Charleston where he remained until some time in September 1776 he does not remember the precise day, when and where he was verbally discharged by his Captain John Keniday. In this Tour he served six weeks. On the same or in a very few days after the expiration of the last mentioned tour he does not recollect the precise day but it was as he believes in the month of September 1776, applicant again entered the service for a Tour of Six weeks he volunteered and entered the Service in Charleston South Carolina he attached himself to a Company commanded by Captain George Dunlapp, he does not recollect the names of the Insign or Lieutenant, this Company also belonged to the Cols Cashaws Regiment to which he was again attached. He does not remember the names of the Majors who were attached to the Regiment during this Tour he was marched to a place called the Turkey Hill in the direction to Savana river from Charleston with all his regiment to give security to the residents in these parts from the attacks of the scouting parties of the Tories and British, and was again marched back to Charleston and there remained until his Tour expired when and where he was by his Captain George Dunlapp verbally discharged. He does not recollect the precise time but thinks it was in the month October A.D. 1776 this Tour he served six weeks. On the same or in a very few days after the expiration of the last of six weeks he volunteered in Charleston South Carolina and attached himself to and joined the Company he came to Charleston in it was commanded by Captain John Barkley he does not recollect the precise time but thinks it was in the first part of the month of October 1776. of this company Robert Harper was the Insign. He does not now remember who the Lieutenant was this company still belonged to the Regiment commanded by Cols Joseph and Eli Cashaw and to which He again attached himself he does not recollect the names of the Majors of the Regiment shortly after the Applicant entered upon the Tour He with his entire Regiment was marched to a place he thinks called Beaufort or Blueford Island for the purpose of assisting in the defence of the Country against the attack of the British which was constantly expected. There he with his Regiment remained for some time does not recollect the precise time and was then marched back to Charleston South Carolina where he remained until his tour of Six weeks expired which he thinks was about the first of December 1776 when and where he was verbally discharged by his Captain John Barkly during the time he was at the place he now thinks was called Bluefords island the insign of his Company Robert Harper died. He does not recollect whether the vacancy occasioned by his death was filled or not or if so by whom. In this Tour he served six weeks. Immediately upon the expiration of the last above mentioned Tour applicant left Charleston for the residence of his father in the Waxaw Settlements of S.C. he traveled as he now thinks one day on his way to his fathers where he met a considerable Number of the five and nine months North Carolina Malitia under General Rutherford and commanded by him, among whom applicant found his brother William, who had entered the service for five months, here one of the five Months men William Houston being _ _ _ proposed to give applicant $40.00 to take his place and serve out the balance of his five months which was to expire on the 10th day of the succeeding March which applicant consented to and did do applicant entered the service this time as he thinks in the first of December 1776 and in the road leading from Charleston towards the Waxaw settlement and about as he supposes Thirty miles from the former place. He was attached to a company commanded by a Captain William Houston he does not remember the names of the Lieutenant or Insign one Campbell was a Corporal in the company. He and his Company were attached to a Regiment commanded by a Col. Locke does not recollect his given name, nor does he now recollect any of the other officers of the Regiment nor does he now remember whether Locke was a Col. Com; or ?Lieut; from the place where he entered the service he was marched to a little town on the Savana river called Purresburge or Purvy's Burge which was opposite to a place on the Georgia side of the River called the Two Sisters here they remained for some time inactive and were then marched by General Rutherford up the Savana River for the purpose of assisting the forces under General Nash in the State of Georgia in defending themselves against an attack of the British which was expected. They crossed the river Savana at Matthew's Bluff, and was that place met General Nash. He had been attacked by the British on Bryer Creek in the State of Georgia vanquished and as many thought fled with more precipitacy than was done. It was said that his troops fought bravely after he left there. He came to the camp of Rutherford almost a Lone, from here applicant with the balance of the army was marched back to Purvisburge, about that time the five months for which he entered expired at this time great fears were apprehended that the country would be in a short time over run by the british on or about the 10th day of March, applicant demanded his discharge but was informed by his officers that he would not be discharged until new levies or troops were procured this was not effected until some time in June 1777 about that time applicant does not recollect the day he was verbally discharged by his Captain William H _ _ s [maybe "Howe?] or he thinks Purvisburge or Perrysburge & was in South Carolina tho he is not certain that it is so he does not know what district or county he was then at the time aforesaid discharged and served in that Tour at least six months; shortly after this he returned to the residence of his father in the Waxaw settlement South Carolina. Some time in the Spring or summer of 1780 the Waxaw settlement as well as the greater part of South Carolina was over run and some settlements desolated by the British those who were affiered of their coming left their houses with all of their portable effects and generally went into North Carolina from the Waxaw settlement the line being but a small distance off applicant had remained in that settlement from 1777 untill that time he then fled to Mclenburge County North Carolina his father left home and carried with him the most valuable of his portable effects applicants brothers Alexander, Robert and William joined the army of the U.S. About this time he does not recollect the precise day or month applicant again entered the service he volunteered for Twenty Seven days he entered service in Mclenburge County North Carolina he joined a company of Cavaldry [sic] Commanded by Captain Olliver Wily of which Thomas Shelly was Lieutenant and Thomas Wray Insign he entered the service at Gilberts Mill in Mclenburge County North Carolina and was then situated with Wily's company and so remained until his Tour expired. When he was verbally discharged at the same place he entered the service he does not recollect the day or the month it was in the year of 1780 and in mild weather as he now thinks he was not theis Tour attached to any Regiment. This ended his military service. He received pay at the rate of Ten dollars a month for the six first Tours he served for the last and seventh he never received any thing although he understood his Captain received the money. In this Tour he served Twenty seven days. He served in all and claims pay for at least fourteen months 1. He 2was born in Augusta County State of Virginia in the month of February and he thinks the 28th day in the year A.D. 1753. 2. He never had any record of his age his father had in a Bible when he fled from the Waxaw Settlement he understands it was left there. He knew his age at the time of the attack of ?Clinton upon Sullivans Island that day Twenty three years of age and now ascertains his age by that date. 3. When first called into the service he was living in Tryon (now Rutherford) County North Carolina. Whilst he was a youth his father moved from Augusta Cty Va. to Roan, North Carolina not far from the Adkin River. From there he moved whilst applicant was a boy to the Waxaw settlement in South Carolina not far from the N.C. line he does not recollect the county or district it was about a quarter of a mile from the Catauba river and about forty five miles from Camden, and about three miles from the Widow Jacksons the mother of General Andrew Jackson thinks her given name was Betty. He is older than Andy Jackson knew him when he was a boy. Whilst he applicant was a boy his father bound him to one Henry Hays a hatter to learn the hatters trade at that time Hays lived in the Waxau Settlement S.C. but shortly afterwards moved to Tryon County North Carolina and carried applicant with him. In the year of 1780 when he left the Army he moved to Holston River and settled in what is now Sullivan County State of Tennessee he there remained for several years. He then moved to Clinch River to a place now in Roan County in the same state from there he moved to Smith County in the same state lived there until he made one cropp. He then moved to this Warren County State of Tennessee where he now and has for the last Twenty four or five years resided; during the revolution and at the time he first entered the service he considered his settled residence with his father in the Waxau settlement South Carolina although he was more but a small portion of his time. He does not recollect what county the Waxau settlement was in. 4. The first Tour applicant served he volunteered into the service. He served he was a substitute for his father William Brown who was drafted into the service. The third Tour he served he volunteered into the service; the fourth Tour he served he volunteered into the service; the fifth Tour he served he volunteered into the service; the sixth Tour he served he volunteered into the service and as a substitute for William Houston. Does not know whether he was drafted or not but from the circumstances of his imploying a substitute he supposes he was and the seventh Tour he served he volunteered into the service. 5. He saw General Lee at Charleston S.C. during his service then he also claims his service ?and became acquainted with a lieutenant by the name of Charles Burnet as he thinks, he also heard of Col Moultrie there thinks he saw him is not certain. He also heard of a sergant Mcdonald did not see him thinks he was killed by a cannon ball all of whom he thinks belonged to the regular army he frequently saw General Lincoln during his service thinks he saw him once at the Turkey Hills. Does not recollect any of the Continental regiments either by name or number nor can he say any thing more of militia regiments than he was in the body of his declaration. 6. Never did receive a written discharge for any of the Tours he served he was always verbally discharged by the Captains under whom he served. 7th. He is known to William F. Luck, General William C. Smartt & others all of whom are in the neighbourhood where he now resides, or at present resides and will testify as to his character for veracity and of their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. He has no documentary evidence of his services. He knows of no person living that he can procure by whom he can prove all of his services. He can prove by Robert Brown that he was in the service at Charleston at the time it was ?or at least Sullivans Island was attacked by Clinton he can not make any other positive proof. Applicant further states that many years ago he received a severe hurt upon his head by the fall of a tree which together with extreme old age has greatly impaired his memory indeed he feels confident that many of the important incidents attending his service have escaped his recollection at best his recollection is so ?fault of them that he can not give a detail of them. He is the more inclined to believe this from the circumstances that he is confident in his own mind that he served a much longer time than he is by summary able to demonstrate. His impression has always been since the revolution that he served about three years. He is confident that he saw and knew more of the regular officers than he by memory can state. He is inclined to believe this from this that he now well knows that he was once or twict stationed with or near them but his recollection of the time and places is so faint that he can not with any certainty attempt to state them. The various Tours he served may not be correct as to the time when served, that is a Tour or Tours that is stated to have been served prior in time to an other may have been served subsequent to it. But he is certain that he served all the Tours stated and for the time stated, and he believes very confidently others that are not stated. He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not upon the Pension Roll of the agency of any state. Thomas [his X mark] Brown J. ? Colville, Clerk By L Colville William F. Luck and W. C. Smartt testify as to veracity and belief of applicant's service. Wm. McGreger, J.P., Samuel Denby, J.P. and A. Higginbotham J.P. recommended pension. Form dated 12 January 1850 naming giving Saml Seay Power of Attorney by George Savage: State of Tennessee, Warren County} I, Richmond McGreger, Clerk of the County Court of said county, holden at McMinnville in and for said county on the 7th day of January 1850, do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said court that Thomas Brown Decd was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of Forty six dollars and Sixty Six cents per annum was a resident of the county of Warren in the State of Tennessee and died in the county of Warren and state of Tennessee in the year 1849, on the 3rd day of September, that he left no widow but the following children and only heirs viz William Brown, Alexander Brown, Rebecca Brown, Margaret Hall & Nancy McGregor and that George Savage is the Administrator of Thomas Brown decd duly qualified as such according to Law. I further certify that Philip Hoodenpyle is a Justice of the Peace in and for said, County duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission was dated on the 21st of December 1849, and will expire on the 7th day of April 1854 and that his signatures above written are genuine. Given under my hand, and seal of said County, this 14th day of January 1850. [s/s] Richmond McGreger, Clerk of Warren County Court. Final payment of pension from Nashville Pension Agency: 24 January 1850, Received of Joel M. Smith, Agnet for Paying Pensions, $23.20 in full for Five months and thirty days pension due me as Administrator of Thomas Brown decd, late a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under the act of the 7th June 1832 from the 4th day of March 1849 (the time to which he was last paid) to the 3d day of September 1849 the day of his death. For which I have signed duplicate receipts. George Savage Adm'r by his att in fact. s/s Saml Seay ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Mary Lu Johnson hellomlu@bellsouth.net ___________________________________________________________________