Pension application of James Alexander W9327 Mary Alexander f73SC
Transcribed by Will Graves 2/18/08 rev'd 7/13/14 & 1/30/18
State of South Carolina Greenville District
On this ninth day of October in the year of our Lord 1832 personally appeared in open Court,
before the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting James Alexander Esq. a resident of
Granville District and State of South Carolina aged Seventy-two years next March the eighth day, 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 7th day of June 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he resided in the District of Spartanburg in the State of South Carolina, and in the fall of the year 1775 he entered the Service of the United States as a Substitute for his brother John Alexander under the command of Captain Andrew Berry and Col. John Thomas Senior and marched to head Quarter at Hollingsworth's Mill on Raburn's Creek1 in Laurens District to route the Tories, that he belonged to the militia, which were commanded by Colonel Richardson, and General Thomas Sumter then acted as adjutant, and that in this tour he served six weeks and was discharged and returned home. After this in the year 1777 he entered the service again as a volunteer under the command of the said Captain A. Berry & Colonel John Thomas Senior for the term of six months and marched to the Indian line & was stationed a part of the time at Hite's old place, a part, on Tyger River, and a part at Silver Sides Station and during this term of Service was kept actively employed as a guard and effective force against the Indians, assisted in the building of Nichols' Fort, that he served out the whole term faithfully and returned home: And in the year 1780 in the Spring this applicant entered the Service in the Militia as a volunteer or as a drafted Soldier under the command of Captain John Berry & Colonel John Thomas Jr. and took up the line of march for Charleston and proceeded some distance, heard Charleston was taken by the enemy & then he was dismissed after having served two or three weeks. Subsequently [he] was taken by the Tories & carried as a prisoner to the British Camp from which place he made his escape and in the fall of 1780 again entered the Service as a volunteer under the said Captain John Berry & Colonel John Thomas Junior and marched and joined General Sumter between Tyger & Enoree Rivers, who marched his Army of which this applicant was one down into the Dutch Fork and returned to Blackstock's in Spartanburg District, and this applicant was in the battle at Blackstock's where General Sumter commanded, assisted by Colonel John Thomas Junior & Lieutenant Colonel Robuck [sic, Benjamin Roebuck], after which under the command of the said officers he went again to the Indian line to guard the Tories and Indians, and engaged Scouting constantly until General Morgan [Daniel Morgan] & Colonel Washington [William Washington] came to the South, and at Grindal Shoals on Pacolet River he joined Morgan & Washington and this applicant was kept out as a spy till the battle at the Cowpens in which he took a part which was fought on the 17 January 1781 after which he guarded the prisoners to North Carolina out of the reach of Cornwallis's Army & returned to South Carolina – at the battle of the Cowpens Major Howard [John Eager Howard] of the regular Army, Major McDowell [Joseph McDowell] of the riflemen, militia, Colonel Thomas, Col. Hayes [Joseph Hayes], Colonel Brannon [sic, Thomas Brandon], Colonel Washington and General Morgan commanded.
After returning from guarding the prisoners to the State of North Carolina, in the Spring of 1781 he was in an engagement at Watkins between the United States Troops and the Tories, commanded by Colonel Roebuck and a short time after was in another engagement with the Tories near Williams Fort on Bush River in Laurens District commanded by the said Colonel Roebuck & Captain John Berry, after which he returned to the Indian line where he remained till General Greene came to the Siege of Ninety Six in which he took a part as a volunteer-- After the raising of the Siege he returned to Spartanburg and was stationed near the Indian line to keep the Indians & Tories in check until the Spring of the year 1782. And in the Summer of 1782 he went under Major John Ford as a volunteer to join General Greene at Charleston and was stationed at Bacon's Bridge on Ashley River till the fall of 1782 when he was discharged by Major Ford and returned home making upwards of two years that he was in the active Service of his Country, that he knows of no one by whom he can prove his said Services on that he can procure to testify in Court. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid.
S/ J. McDaniel, C. C. P.
S/ James Alexander
[Nathan Berry a clergyman and Micajah Berry gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
State of South Carolina, Greenville District
Amendment to the Declaration of James Alexander Esq. made in open Court at Greenville
Court House in the State of South Carolina on the 10th day of October 1832 in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832.
Personally came James Alexander Esq. before me and being duly Sworn declared on oath that
he served as a Soldier in the United States, in this State of South Carolina during the Revolutionary War the following Tours and periods (viz.) In November 1775 he served six weeks as a Substitute for his brother John Alexander which term he served out faithfully. After this, to wit, on the 1st July in the year 1777 He entered the Service again in his own name for six months and served out the whole term faithfully. In April 1780 this deponent entered the Service again in the State of South Carolina and marched for Charleston South Carolina and served three weeks and was discharged. And in October 1780 he entered the Service in the said State and continued constantly in the Service of his Country from October 1780 till April 1782 and during this period no portion of the time was devoted to his own private affairs or employments and lastly in July 1782 he volunteered under Major Ford and joined General Greene near Charleston and served two months and was discharged by Major John Ford which discharge is lost; that he has no documentary evidence of his said Services. This Deponent further Swears that he actually Served in the defense of his Country in the State of South Carolina two years and four months as Stated in the foregoing amendment to his declaration besides some short periods of Service not mentioned and that his Original Declaration gives substantially the history of his said Services.
Sworn and subscribed to before me at Granville Court House the third day of June 1833,
S/ William Choice, NP & Ex Off J Q.
S/ James Alexander
South Carolina, Greenville District
Personally came James Alexander Esq. before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and
for the District of Greenville and State of South Carolina who being duly sworn Deposeth and saith: that he first entered the service of the United States in November 1775. He substituted himself in the place of his brother John Alexander. He served six weeks – was under the command of Captain Andrew Berry & John Nicholls Lieutenant – Colonel John Thomas Senior had command of the
Regiment – the whole militia were under the command of Colonel Richardson – General Thomas
Sumter was then acting as adjutant – The troops were marched to Hollingsworth's Mill on Rayburn's Creek in Lawrence [sic, Laurens] District, South Carolina, which was headquarters. From thence marched to the “Great Cane Broke” [sic, Great Cane Break”] on Reedy River now in Greenville
District but then belonged to the Cherokee Indians. At this place the troops fell in with and routed a body of Tories. The troops were first embodied to march to “Ninety Six,” understanding that the Tories were collecting at that place; but hearing that they had assembled at the “Great Cane Break” on Reedy River, our course was changed to that place. After the Tories were routed we returned to Hollingsworth Mill and was there discharged Having served six weeks as above stated.
The second tour he entered the service on the first day of July 1777. He volunteered under the command of Captain Andrew Berry & John Berry first Lieutenant, in a Regiment of South Carolina Militia commanded by Colonel John Thomas Senior. He served six months. This tour was performed against the Cherokee Indians. We marched to the Indian line and was stationed a part of our time at Hite's old place, a part on Tyger River now in Greenville District, and a part at Silver Sides Station in Spartanburg during the whole of this tour we were constantly and actively employed in guarding the frontiers against the Indians and Tories. He assisted in building Nichols Fort during this tour. At the expiration of this tour of six months he was discharged by Colonel Thomas and returned home.
The third tour he entered the service in April 1780 under the command of Captain John Berry
and Col. John Thomas Junior. He volunteered for three months, and marched for the relief of
Charleston. After marching some distance, we heard that Charleston was taken by the British and we were dismissed. In this tour he served three weeks.
The fourth tour he entered the service in October 1780 under the command of Captain John
Berry and Colonel John Thomas Jr. He volunteered this tour for six months – marched and joined General Sumter between Tyger and Enoree Rivers in Spartanburg District South Carolina. Then we marched under the command of General Sumter to the Dutch Fork in Newberry District. There we heard of Colonel Tarleton's crossing Broad River and we returned to “Black stocks” in Spartanburg where we met and engaged with the British forces under the command of Colonel Tarleton. The United States forces were under the command of General Thomas Sumter – Colonel John Thomas Junior and Lieutenant Colonel Roebuck had the command of the Regiment in which this deponent served. There was also Colonel Chandler of Georgia in the battle on the American side. Colonel Tarleton's forces were driven off the field but being reinforced General Sumter was forced to retreat. In this battle General Sumter was wounded in the shoulder. From Blackstocks we marched some distance under General Sumter when Colonel Thomas received orders to marched towards the Indian line in against a party of Tories. We were stationed on the line guarding the Frontiers and keeping down the Tories until General Morgan came to the South. We then joined General Morgan and Colonel Washington at
Grindal Shoals on Pacolet River in Spartanburg district. After remaining some time at Grindal Shoals General Morgan marched to Soffalds [?] Mills on Thicketty Creek where he continued until a day or two before the Battle of the Cowpens – during this time this deponent was principally employed in watching the maneuvers of Cornwallis's Army in company with others – the day before the battle of the Cowpens he received orders to join the Army, which he did the night before the battle was fought. He was in the battle – General Morgan had command of the whole troops – General Andrew Pickens had command of the Militia – Col. Howard commanded the Regulars – Major McDowell the rifle men Colonels Thomas, Hayes & Brandon were also in the engagement – Colonel Washington commanded the Cavalry. From the Cowpens we marched under the command of General Morgan through North Carolina with the prisoners taken in the battle. He was then marched back to South Carolina under the command of Colonel Thomas. The first of February we engaged with a force of Tories in Newberry district –night came on and the battle was not decided – it was resumed in the morning and the Tories [indecipherable words, could be “were defeated”]2
. Towards the latter part of February we had another engagement with the Tories, near Williams Fort in Laurens District. In this skirmish Colonel Roebuck had the command – (Colonel Thomas being absent) we then remained near the Indian lines until April when this tour of six months expired.
The fifth tour he again volunteered for six months in April 1781 under the command of Captain James Hughes & Joseph Alexander Lieutenant – Colonel Thomas resigned his command of the Regiment and Colonel Roebuck was appointed to the command of the same. We continued on the
Indian Line until General Greene besieged Ninety Six. This deponent got a permit from his Captain to go to the Siege of Ninety Six which he did, and remained there under the command of Greene until he was forced to raise the Siege. He then returned back to his station and joined his company and Regiment where he remained scouting about to keep the Indians and Tories in check until the tour of six months expired. About this time Colonel Roebuck was taken prisoner by the Tories and Colonel White took command of the Line & Regiment in which this deponent was then serving.
The sixth tour he entered the service in October 1781 under the command of Captain Samuel
Nesbitt and Colonel White. He volunteered for six months. This tour we served near the Indian Line in scouring the Frontiers and protecting its inhabitants. The greater part of this tour was done in Spartanburg district. We served on horseback & were frequently in pursuit of the Tories, who were constantly engaged in some depredations. The sufferings of the militia troops under the command of Colonel White were very great. He served the whole of this tour as stated and was discharged.
In July 1782 he volunteered for a seventh tour, under the command of Thomas Moore –
Lieutenant – Captain Samuel Nesbitt & Major John Ford, for three months. We marched on to join General Greene's Army, and was stationed at Bacon's Bridge on Ashley River about 20 miles from Charleston. General Greene's Army was stationed at the Cross Roads about 1 mile from Bacon's
Bridge. Whilst stationed at Bacon's Bridge this deponent was sent out to Edisto to collect cattle for Greens Army and was gone 10 or 12 days. He was then discharged after having served two months. It being considered unnecessary for the Militia to remain any longer encamped. This deponent then returned home and this closed his service in defense of his Country.
This deponent claims a pension for the services above stated – being seven tours and in all two years four months and one week, which time he served faithfully an embodied corps of South Carolina Militia as a private, and was not engaged in any civil pursuit during that time.
The reply to the questions which were omitted in the deponent's declaration he says 1st He was born in Ireland in the year 1761 --2nd He has no record of his age at this time, but had until his father's papers were burned. 3rd He was living in Spartanburg District South Carolina when he was called into service. The other questions all already embodied in his declaration.
Sworn to and subscribed this October 26, 1833
S/ J. McDaniel, C.C.P. Ex Off. J Q
S/ James Alexander
[p 58]
South Carolina Greenville District: Personally came James Alexander before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the District of Greenville who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that the seven tours of revolutionary services stated in his declaration now on file in the Pension Office were performed in embodied Corps of militia called into service by the authorities of the State of South Carolina and that the respective officers under whom he served were to the best of his knowledge regularly commissioned by the Governor of South Carolina – that during his services mentioned in his declaration he was constantly employed either actively in the field or in Garrison, and that he was not during such time employed in any civil pursuit – that he ardently espoused the cause of his country at a very early period, when only fifteen years old, and became enthusiastically attached to her interest and service – that after having performed three tours, one of six weeks, one of six months and another of three weeks, the fall of Charleston forced a great many gallant Whigs to take refuge in North Carolina among whom were this deponent's father & family, but this deponent himself determined to remain and risk his fortunes with the very small number of Whigs who kept up the struggle in the upper part of the State – that being left in this situation he continued with the small militia forces which remained and served three tours of six months each and a fourth of two months before the close of the war – that these 4 tours were served under different officers as stated in his declaration and that as soon as one tour would expire he volunteered again for another. This deponent further states that the person who first drew his declaration inadvertently put these tours in one and which appeared as a continuous tour, but which was not the case. And this deponent further states that his services did not partake of the nature of patrols or of domestic police, performed without authority of the State; but that he was regularly in the service of his country as a private volunteer in her militia and several times [indecipherable word] engaged in fighting her battles with her main Southern Army – that as an evidence of his services being such as was generally performed by the militia, he states he was paid by the State of South Carolina for all of his services thus rendered in Indents, the same medium or species of money with which her militia generally were paid off – that the troops with which he served were several times under the command of General Sumter, General Morgan &c –
This deponent would further state that if the Act of June 7th 1832 was not intended to render such services as he performed for his country in the darkest period of her struggle he does not know who would be entitled to its provisions. It is true that the greater part of his services were rendered as a volunteer, and that he did not wait like others to be forced to do his duty a draft – In conclusion he hopes that his application will be fairly and [word written over and illegible] received and that he will be allowed in his old age that reward the services and perils of his youth entitle him by the late provisions of his country.
Sworn to and subscribed this November 17, 1833
S/ James Alexander
[p 55]
State of South Carolina, Spartanburg District, to wit
On this fifth day of June 1834 personally appeared before me William Krimmier a justice of the Quorum Ex officio in and for the District aforesaid, William Caldwell,3 a Soldier of the Revolution, who being sworn in due form of law on his oath saith, that he was well and intimately acquainted with James Alexander, during the War of the Revolution. Said Alexander then lived in the District aforesaid, but now resides in Greenville District – that he served with the said Alexander in the fall of 1780 and winter of 1780 & 1781 under Col. Thomas as stated in his Declaration – and also knows that he afterwards served under Colonel Roebuck – and believes that he did continue in service under different officers until the fall of 1782. This deponent has been acquainted with said Alexander ever since the Revolution, and well knows him to be the identical individual, whom he then knew as James Alexander. That said Alexander is a man of truth and good moral character.
Sworn to & subscribed before me the 5th June 1834.
S/ Wm Caldwell
S/ Wm Krimmier [?], JQExOff
State of South Carolina, Greenville district
Personally came David Morton5 a citizen of the District aforesaid and being duly Sworn states on oath that he was well acquainted with James Alexander Esq. who has made his Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832, and the Revolutionary War, that he entered the Service when very young and remained doing duty in the Service of the United States for a long time, that this Deponent was with him at the battles of Blackstocks and Cowpens in South Carolina; that the said James Alexander has resided and does now reside in this district for many years and is a respectable Citizen Worthy of All Credit.
Sworn & Subscribed to before Me the 9 October 1832.
S/ David Morton
S/ J. McDaniel, CC P
South Carolina, Granville District
Personally came before me David Morton and being duly sworn saith on oath that he was well
acquainted with James Alexander during the revolutionary war and knew that he entered the service quite young, and the deponent knows that he served a tour under Col. John Thomas Sr. -- and also that he knew him to serve one other tour under Col. John Thomas Junior and the deponent also says that he knew him to serve one other tour under Colonel Benjamin Roebuck and also one other tour of duty under the Command of Colonel White, and also says that he has been well acquainted with the said James Alexander from his youth and has always known him to be a man of truth and respectability.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this fourth day of June 1834.
S/ Alexander Savage, JP
S/ David Morton
South Carolina, Greenville District
Personally came before me Alexander Peden,6. being duly sworn and saith on oath that he was
one of the revolutionary soldiers in the year 1776 and that he was well acquainted with James Alexander who then lived in Spartanburg but now lives in Greenville District who was one of the Revolutionary Soldiers at that time and that he knew that said Alexander to serve a tour of duty under Colonel John Thomas Senior in the fall of the year 1775 – and that he knew him to serve another Tour of duty under the same Colonel Thomas in the year 1777 against the Indians and he also knew him to serve another small Tour in the spring of the year 1780 when Charleston fell into the hands of the British and in the fall of the year 1780 he knew him the said Alexander entered the service under Col. John Thomas Junior and served a Tour of Duty under and in the year 1781 he knew him to serve a tour of Duty under Colonel Benjamin Roebuck and he has just reason to believe that he served under other officers until the fall of 1782 and that the said Alexander's father and family after the fall of Charleston moved to North Carolina for refuge from the Tories, that the said James Alexander stayed in the South till the close of the war and that the Deponent that he was with the said Alexander in engagements against the Tories in the year 1781 and further the deponent saith that he knew the said Alexander to serve as an acting justice of the peace in the District of Greenville where he now lives between 20 and three years, and that he is a man of Respectability and Truth – sworn to before me and subscribed to this 5 July 1834.
S/ Wm H. Armour, JP
[p 18: On April 8, 1844 in Greenville district South Carolina Mary Alexander, 77, widow, filed for a widow's pension under the 1838 Act, stating that she is the widow of James Alexander, a revolutionary war pensioner; that she married James on June 3, 1783; that James died on June 12, 1839. She signed her application with her mark.]
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $80 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for service as a private for 2 years in the South Carolina militia. His widow was pensioned in a like amount.]
South Carolina Audited Accounts7 relating to James Alexander AA23
Audited Account Microfilm file No. 67
[Note: This file is labeled “James Alexander and James Alexander, Jr.” The file clearly includes documents relating to two or more men. I have not tried to separate them since there is no sure way of positively identifying which claim relates to which man. The signatures are different and I have included those where appropriate.]
[p 2]
No. 114
No. 3335 Lib. [Book] X 29 June 86
James Alexander
For Militia Duty in Roebuck’s [Benjamin Roebuck’s] Regiment, since the fall of Charleston [Charleston South Carolina fell to the British on May 12, 1780] per Anderson’s [Robert Anderson’s] Return amounting to [South Carolina] Currency £253.0.0
Sterling £36.2.10 ¼
Received 29th June 1786, full Satisfaction for the within in an Indent No. 3335—X per Order
S/ Willm Turpin
[p 4]
Gent. Please deliver unto John Alexander my Indent with the Interest due thereon and you will Oblige your humble Servant
S/ James Alexander Junior
To the Commissioners of the State of South Carolina
Certified by me
S/ Jas. Jordon, JP
[p 5]
Please deliver the within Mentioned Indent to Wadsworth & Turpin Charleston April 6, 1786
S/ John Alexander
[p 7: partially legible document issued to James Alexander, Junr., 1780 for service done on horseback per Capt. Baskin’s [William Baskin’s] Pay Bill. This appears to relate to the Indent described below appearing on p 10 of this file.]
[p 8]
South Carolina Abbeville County} Hereby authorize and empower Moses Liddle or John Norwood or Either of them to Draw and Receive all my Indent or Indents Coming to me from the Public with the Interest due on the same. Given under my hand this 3rd day of August 1786.
S/ James Alexander, Jr
Signed the day and year above written before me
S/ Wm Baskin, JP
[p 10: Form of Indent No. 565 Book I dated December 28, 1784 issued to Mr. James Alexander in the sum of 22 pounds 5 Shillings and 8 pence halfpenny Sterling for Militia duty on Horseback in 1779 and 1783 per Account Audited.]
[p 12]
No. 114
No. 3334 Lib [Book] X 29 June 1786
James Alexander For Militia Duty in Roebuck’s Regiment since the fall of Charleston per Anderson’s return amounting to
[South Carolina] Currency £284.10.0
Sterling £40.12.10 ¼
Received 29 June 1786 full Satisfaction for the within in an Indent No. 3334 Book X
S/ Jno Gowen
[p 16: I transcribed the below because it gives a time and place for certain troops. I don’t normally transcribe audited accounts for provisions.]
The State of South Carolina to James Alexander Dr.
To 641 weight of Wheat Flower [flour] at £6 pr Cart [?] £38.0.0
James Alexander made Oath that the above mentioned 641 weight of good Wheat flour he
served out at Providence to a Detachment of Colonel Andrew Pickens’ Regiment of Militia under the Command of Captain James McCall & Lieutenant John Luckie on Duty on the frontiers by order of Colonel Andrew Pickens, for which flour he agreed on no price but was promised the Market Price by the above Mentioned Officers to whose orders he Delivered it & never received any Restitution for the same.
Sworn the 29th of October 1779 Before me
S/ Robert Anderson, JP
S/ James Alexander
[p 18]
South Carolina Abbeville County
I do hereby authorize & empower Captain John Norwood to draw and receive all my Indent or Indents coming to me from the Public with the Interest due on the same. Given under my hand this [text too faint to discern] 1786
S/ James Alexander
Signed the day and year above written before me
S/ Wm Baskin, JP
[p 20]
To the Honorable President and other members of the Senate
The Petition of James Alexander humbly Sheweth
That he the said James is the heir at law of Nathaniel Miller Deceased that the said Nathaniel in his lifetime was in the Service of his Country acting as a faithful defender of his Country and was in the armies of the United States from the fall of Charleston in May 1780 till Conclusion of the war that whilst so engaged he was plundered of all his Property by the Enemy viz. one likely Negro woman and child, three likely horses & one best Rifle Gun &c as will appear by affidavits8 accompanying this Edition that the said Nathaniel was Thereby reduced to want that your Petitioner as his next of kin took him in to provide for those wants for which he had lost the means in the Service of his Country, that for the last nine years of his life he was Entirely Helpless and that for all the calls of Nature he the said James had to provide.
Judge then I pray you what I may deserve never having Received one cent from the Deceased,
this is a case of a peculiar nature with her Provided for or know [no] but I submit it to you with the affidavits hoping you to hear the Justice it deserves. I am poor and I had my substance go to support the poor worn out Soldier who is believed to have Contracted his disorder in your Service. November the 16th, 1819
S/ James Alexander
[This claim was rejected by both the SC Senate and House.]
______________________
1http://gaz.jrshelby.com/lindley.htm
2In his earlier declaration, applicant referred to this engagement at the engagement at “Watkins.” O'Kelley, Vol. 3, pp. 100-101 refers to an engagement in SC at Watkins.
3http://southerncampaign.org/pen/w22727.pdf
4http://southerncampaign.org/pen/S8248.pdf
5http://southerncampaign.org/pen/S21380.pdf
6http://southerncampaign.org/pen/S21417.pdf
The South Carolina Audited Accounts are available on microfilm at the South Carolina Department of Archives & History in Columbia,
SC. They will eventually be available online at http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/. The “SC” file number has been assigned by the administrator of this website for indexing purposes only and is not an officially recognized file number.
http://revwarapps.org/w9327.pdf
