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Facts and Events
John Hughett was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia
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Records of John Hughett in Augusta County, VA
From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records:
- Vol. 2 - Revolutionary Declaration - John Hewit's Declaration, September 5th, 1833: Born in Augusta (now Botetourt) November 14th, 1763; volunteered September 8th, 1780, under Capt. James Robinson; his and the Company of Capt. Alexander Handley marched to the Southern States under Major David Campbell; joined Gen. Morgan two days after the battle of Cowpens and took the place of the Militia of Augusta and Rockbridge, who acted so bravely and were about to be discharged; Capt. Handley and John Alien were taken prisoners, Col. Williams commanded. Again in Capt. James Smith's Company he marched from Pattonsburg and was under Major Patrick Lockhart at Yorktown and Col. Samuel Lewis, Lieut. Cartmel, Col. William Anderson, John Tate.
Military Service
- American Revolutionary War Veteran
Revolutionary War Pension Information
Information from “Virginia/West Virginia Genealogical Data from Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Records”, Vol. 2, compiled by Patrick G. Wardell, Lt. Col. U.S. Army Ret. :
Hewit, John - entered service 1780 in Augusta County, Virginia, where born 11/14/1863 (area later Botetourt County, Virginia); granted Pension 1833 in Latter County & died 12/19/1844 there; married 11/20/1794 to Margaret Hewett, who was granted Pension there in 1849 age 71; Bounty land Warrant grantee there in 1855; soldier's surname also spelled Hewitt. F-W2618, R1264,
References
- Kegley, F. B. (Frederick Bittle). Kegley's Virginia Frontier: The Beginning of the Southwest, the Roanoke of Colonial Days, 1740-1783, with Maps and Illustrations. (Roanoke, Virginia, United States: The Southwest Virginia Historical Society, 1938)
pg. 661-662.
SERVICE IN THE CONTINENTAL LINE, JOHN HEWITT’S DECLARATION
John Hewitt—-Botetourt, September 5, 1833. Born November 14, 1763, in Botetourt. [Note: Botetourt was formed in 1768 from part of Augusta County].
Volunteered in Continental Line, September 8, 1780, for six months, but order to march did not come till October 97. VVentout under Capt. James Robinson, November 5, were joined by Capt. Alexander Handly’s company, and marching under Maj. David Campbell joined Morgan two days after the battle of the Cowpens. There took the place of the Augusta and Rockbridge militia, who were about to be discharged. They acted bravely in the battle and guarded the prisoners to Virginia. Aifiant’s command was sent down the Catawba to act in concert with Gen. Davidson at McCowan’s Ford, and by felling timber along the bank to prevent the enemy from crossing. A few hours after this preparation had been made a detachment of the enemy appeared on the opposite bank. As we were about to fire on them they retired. Before daylight next morning the British opened a heavy artillery fire on Gen. Davidson, who commanded lower down the river. After daylight they forced the passage and Davidson was killed. Meanwhile in a cold dark dash with heavy rain, the affiant’s command got into the road on which Gen. Morgan was retreating and came up with it on the Yadkin, which was very much swollen by the rains. It was daybreak before the North Carolina militia got over, and took position a half mile up the river from the direct road to Salisbury. Next night they were attacked by a strong detachment of infantry supported by cavalry, and compelled to retreat. The army got over with the exception of a small part of the baggage.
The last boat had put off when the British cavalry reached the river and fired on it with pistols, but without effect. In our skirmish, Capt. Hanley and John Allen were taken prisoners and a few men killed. The most of those who escaped had to cross the river in canoes. When the scattered troops assembled they marched to Guilford C. H., where they were permitted to rest a while, the enemy being detained by the flood in the Yadkin.
Then they marched to Bruce’s Crossroad on the way where Col. was cut to pieces by the British cavalry. The retreat continued until the Dan was crossed. After the Yadkin was crossed the army was commanded by Col. Williams. From the day after the battle of Cowpens they were employed night and day in throwing every possible difficulty in the enemy’s path. The men were without tents and often without provisions. The fatigue, privation, and loss of sleep brought on sickness and death in that inclement season. When the two rifle companies crossed the Dan the 111 men were reduced to 17, and there were no officers but the major, who gave the remnant a verbal discharge, affiant being one of the 17. He volunteered August 6, 1781, and marched to the seige of Yorktown under Maj. Patrick Locke, and after the surrender guarded prisoners to four miles beyond Winchester, where he was discharged the middle of November.
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