Patrick County, VA - Revolutionary Pension Application, Elihu Ayers Submitted for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: William E. Harrold ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ ELIHU AYERS PENSION APPLICATION Patrick County, Virginia, November 16, 1832 Transcribed by William E. Harrold (gggg-grandson of Elihu and Lydia [Owen] Ayers) On November 16, 1832, ELIHU AYERS applied for a Pension Applcation at the Patrick County, Virginia Court, identifying himself as Elihu Ayers, soldier, of Patrick County, Virginia, aged 72, who enlisted January 28, 1778 as a Volunteer Private Soldier for the Minute Men under COLONEL BENJAMIN CLEVELAND, of Wilkes County, North Carolina. He was in CAPTAIN BENJAMIN HEARNDON'S Company, and also under CAPTAIN GORDON, and LIEUTENANT BAKER AYERS. He describes his tour of duty as follows, the places he marched and served: He was kept constantly in service, pursing Tories and Outlaws, and others. He traversed the surrounding country, the Iron Works on the Yadkin River-- to Mitchell's River, thence to Greenless Ford--to Burk Courthouse, to crossing the South Yadkin and Main Yadkin Rivers--thence through Tory Country to the Iron Works. During this time he was present in the "half hanging" of WILLIAM COMBS, whom they released on promise of better behavior. He also participated in the hanging of WILLIAM KOYLE (or WILLIAM BOYLE) and LEMUEL JONES, who were condemned by a court martial, consisting of the following officers, COLONEL BENJAMIN CLEVELAND, BEAUMDON? GORDON. Lieutenant BUNKER AYERS testified that EHIHU AYERS's discharge, which he received from COLONEL CLEVELAND, was burned in the home of his father. At the time Elihu AYERS performed this tour of duty his father lived in Pittsylvania Conty, Virginia, from whence he had sent his son to Surry County, North Carolina, to buy land, which he did. But Elihu Ayers did not return to Pittsylvania County until 1780, when he had completed serving the above tour, believing that his father would not move because the Tories were seiging. He received a letter from his father and returned to Pittsylvania County, Virginia, in 1780. His father immediately moved to the above mentioned land in Surry County, North Carolina. Elihu then enlisted again in Surry County, 178-?. He fought the Battle of Guilford in March 15, 1781, and was involved in other major engagements. In 1781 and 1782 Elihi Ayers resided in Surry County, North Carolina, and has since lived in Patrick County, Virgina. He states that the was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, January 26, 1761--and tells a most interesting story about King's Mountain, On February 17, 1834 Elihu Ayers sent another letter to Pension Officers in Washington, D. C., stating: "I am in hopes my claim may not be longer suspended . as I AM VERY OLD, INFIRM, and INDIGENT, and if not aided by the general government must shortly become a charge to the country." Notes: 1. ELIHU AYERS is the son of of Thomas Ayers, Sr. and Barbara (Barbary) [Murphy?] of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and grandson of Nathaniel Ayers and Rhoda [Baker?}, of Pitttsylvania, Virginia. His father Thomas Ayers, Sr. moved to the land which Elihu bought in Surry County, North Carolina, then moved up into Patrick County, Virginia. Thomas's other children are Joseph Musphy Ayers and Thomas Ayers Jr, Jane Ayers, Elizabeth Ayers, and Phebe Ayers, who all moved with him, as well as his Uncle, Moses Ayers. Land belonging to Moses and Thomas Ayes was later purchased to found Rockford, the County Seat of Surry County, North Carolina. Elihu Ayers married Lydia Owen (daughter of John Owen and Elizabeth Nichols, and granddaughter of Richard Owen) in Halifax County, Virginia, in the spring of 1786. Elihu Ayers died March 19,1844. 2. The children of Elihu Ayers and Lydia Owen are: a. Elkannah Ayers m. Joannah____________(oldest child, age 58 in June 1844) b. Nancy Ayers, m. (1) Jacob Johnson, Jr.; (2) Hiram Harrrison Dean,son of Henry Harrison Dean, Sr. and Charity Beamer c. Affirah Ayers m. John Scott, son of Thomas Scott and Catherine Scott of Wythe County, Virginia. d. Keturah Ayers m. Henry Harrison Dean, Jr., son of Henry Harrison Dean, Sr. and Charity Beamer. e. Cassamara Ayers f. Martha Ayers m. Samuel Richardson; (2) Vincent Surratt g. Lydia Ayers m. Archibald Burnett, son of William and Elizabeth Burnett h. Lucinda Ayers m. Wiliam Allen. III, son of William Allen, Jr. and Ann Stuart i. Elckum Ayers 3. See "Pension Application of Lydia [Owen] Ayers," for more information. Transcribed by William E. Harrold