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Facts and Events
John Peter Coger was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia
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Revolutionary War Pension Information
Information from “Virginia/West Virginia Genealogical Data from Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Records”, Vol. 1, compiled by Patrick G. Wardell, Lt. Col. U.S. Army Ret. :
- Coger, Peter - entered service 1777 in Rockingham County, Virginia; born 1753 in Pennsylvania, moved to Virginia when infant where reared in Augusta County & Rockingham County; resided in Franklin County, Virginia, after Revolutinoary War; moved in 1824 to Elk River, Randolph County, Virginia, thence to Lewis County, Virginia where granted Pension in 1832; resided in 1837 in Kanasha County, Virginia; brother Joseph entered service with soldier in 1778; query letter in file in 1937 from descendant Mrs. Emma Cogar, Hyattsville, Maryland. R595.
Advisory on Parentage of Peter Coger
Some sources claim that Peter Coger may have been a son of Jacob Coger's brother, Nicholas Coger, who died in 1743, whose estate records are listed in both Orange and Augusta County, Virginia, but since Peter Coger's birth was stated by him to be in 1753, in his letters proving his military service for a government pension, this rules him out as a son of Nicholas Koger.
Information on Peter Coger
- Jacob’s son, Peter Coger, born in 1753, served at Point Pleasant, and fought in the battles of Vincennes and Yorktown.
- His son William Coger, born in 1782, served in the War of 1812.
- Peter Coger was born about 1753, and was raised in Rockingham County, Virginia. He served as a soldier in the Revolution, and his story is preserved in three letters which he dictated, late in his life, to obtain a government pension for his service.
[Source: THE COGAR FAMILY, A Few Genealogical Notes Incorporating “ONE FAMILY’S EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY”, by Sarah Coger; http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/i/l/M-B-Wilson/FILE/0009page.html]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees: (Note: not considered a reliable primary source).
- Virginia/West Virginia Genealogical Data From Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Records
220.
Compiler: Patrick G. Wardell
Publisher: Heritage Books,Inc.
- Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution: Soldiers-Sailors-Marines: 1775-1783
164, 1979.
Author/Compiler: John H. Gwathmey
Publisher: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.
Baltimore,Maryland
- Application for Pension under Act of 1832
various, August 1848.
- Braxton Historical Society (West Virginia). Journal of the Braxton Historical Society. (Exchange, West Virginia: Braxton Historical Society, 1973-)
June 1992.
Peter Cogar 1753-1841?
m. Mary Mackelvain on 9/3/1781. Moved to Franklin Co., Va
and purchased 97-1/2 acres. also 160 ac on Blackwater R. in
Franklin Co. 4/3/1797. 100 ac of land in Franklin Co. from
Henry Kingerly.
1824 he moved to Elk RIve in Randolph Co., then to Lewis
now either Braxton or Webster co. In 1841 he was reciving his
soldiers pension in Lewis Co., living with Adam Starcher,
maybe his son-in-law.
Children listed:
William b. abt 1782 m. Betty Kingary
Jacob b. abt 1783 m. Margaret Mollahan
Thomas b. abt 1788 m. Mary Eva Spillman
Peter Jr. b. abt 1790 m Mary ?
Benjamin b. abt 1793 m. Mary Hosey
John b abt 1797 m. Sarah Jane Sands
Catherine m. John Ashward.
William Coger lived to be 108, Jacob Coger lived to be
106, Mary Coger lived to be 104.
- Graves, William T. Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters.
Pension Application of Peter Coger S10481
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Virginia } SS
County of Lewis }
On this 3 day of December A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the d
Justices of the Court of Lewis County now sitting, Peter Coger resident of the County of Lewis in the State of Virginia aged 79 years 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 7 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. In Rockingham County in the State of Virginia on the 1 July 1777 he volunteered as a private in a company commanded by Capt. Jeremiah Ragan. Harrison Lieut. Ensign’s name forgotten. March from thence through Augusta and Greenbrier Counties to the Great Kanawha River and decended to Point Pleasant at its mouth. When he arrived the fort was garrisoned by Col. [George] Skillern troops. He seen when there Capts. [Mathew] Arbuckle, Stewart, and Hill. Cornstalk the Celebrated Sachem was at this time detained at the fort as a hostage together with Red Hawk & some other Indians of distinction, was at Pt. Pleasant when the affair took place which led to the death of the Indian Hostages. Seen Cornstalk, Red Hawk & Elenipsica shot by the incensed soldiers. [See note below.] Declarant remained at the fort at Pt. Pleasant awaiting the arrival of Gen’l. [Edward] Hand from fort Pitt, with whose forces they expected to form a Junction at Pt. Pleasant and then proceed under his command on an expedition against the Indians on the North side of the Ohio. Gen’l. Hand arrived without an army, and the expedition was abandoned, and declarant was in January 1778 discharged by his Capt. & returned home having served 7 months. Then on the first of April 1779 he again entered the service of the United States as a private volunteer under Capt. Abraham Bowman [probably Joseph Bowman], Lieut. Isaac Bowman, Daniel Duel[?] Ensign. Marched from Rockingham County Virginia to Fort Pitt (now Pittsburg) was there attached to the forces under command of Col. G. R. Clark [George Rogers Clark], embarked & proceeded down the Ohio river to the burnt Chimneys below the falls of the river [at present Louisville]. there they landed – and fearing that the savages might find and destroy their boats – they sank them & continued their march to Illinois river – Crossed the same and took possession of the Illinois Fort [at present Kaskaskia IL,
4 Jul 1778]. Part of the forces were stationed here during the winter. the others went up the Mississippi to Coho Station [sic: Cohoes or Cahokia] and remained there until spring. In following spring the troops formed a junction and marched to the Wabash Country, where they had a skirmish with the French and Indians. a small Company who had taken Capt. Helms [sic: Leonard Helm] and his soldiers, who were from Old Virginia, a battle took place, firing kept up during a whole night. we wounded and killed some of the French and Indians and rescued Capt Helms & his men, remained here until Oct was then discharged by his Capt. and returned to Rockingham Va having served 18 months.
Again in the month of July in the year 1781 he was drafted in the said County of Rockingham under Capt. George Cresman [George Chrisman], and marched from thence to Fredericksburg Va. a place of General rendezvous. was there reviewed by Genl. George Weedon. was there attached to Regt. under command of Col. [William] Darke. Marched from thence to Richmond was stationed on the hill where the Capitol now stands. There seen Gen’l. Washington [see note below], Gen’l. [Anthony] Wayne. The Marquis LaFayette, was there about 3 weeks when the enemy entered the City, and they retreated in the direction of Culpepper [sic: Culpeper] Courthouse but rec’d. orders to counter march to New Kent Court house, which was obeyed.
they was there attached to the forces under command of LaFayette and Gen’l. Wayne & pursued the enemy to Yorktown, remained there until the surrender of Lord Cornwallis [19 Oct] was then discharged and returned to his residence in Rockingham Va. this was towards the last of Oct in the 1781. Declarant served this tour 3 months and about 20 days. his discharges have all been lost. Declarant was born in Pa. taken to Va. when an infant. resided in Rockingham County Va. untill some years after his services in the revolution then moved to Harrison County now [since 1816] Lewis in the said State, where he still resides he has no documentary evidence by which to prove his services. knows of no man who can testify to the same unless Isaac & John Mace [pension applications S8995 and S13847] who he supposes could testify to part of his services.
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 and subscribed this 3 day of Dec’r. 1832.
Peter his X mark Coger
To the 7 several interogatories propounded by the Court in pursuance of the regulations adopted by the War Department, he answers as follows to wit, to the first he answers and saith
1 . He was born in the State of Pennsylvania the name of the county he has forgotten in the year 1753.
2 . I have no record of my age, I recollect the account given me of my age by my parents d
3 . I was living when I went into the service in Rockingham County Va d
4 . The first & second tours I volunteered. the 3 . I was drafted.
5 . [Continental officers with the troops where he served:] Washington, Wayne, La Fayette, McKintosh [sic: Lachlan McIntosh], Hand. General Officers. Cols. Skillern, Darke, Clark & Capts. Arbuckle, Stewart, Hill, Helms, Ragan, Bowman and Cresman.
6. My discharges have all been lost. by whom they were signed I cannot recollect
7. John Mace & Isaac Mace live in the neighborhood where I reside and can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution.
[Notes by W. G. Singleton, Special Agent. See note below.]
Peter Coger. Pensioner – receives $80 p annum.
on the 18 of august 1834 Mr. Coger gave the following narative of his services as a soldier in the war of the Revolution – he states that he dont know his age – that he was raised in Rockingham county Virginia, and was drafted at the age of sixteen years and marched from Rockingham county under Capt Jeremiah Ragan to Point Pleasant on the Ohio river where an engagement [sic] was had with the Indians in which the celebrated Chief “Cornstalk” was killed – and that he saw him fall dont recollect how long he was drafted for but thinks he was in this service something like two or three weeks – (Note the Battle at the Point with Cornstalk was in 1774. WGS.)
In the year 1780 he Enlisted in Rockingham county under Capt Abraham Bowman, went on
with Capt Bowmans company to Fort Pitt and from there, we went down to the Falls of Ohio by water, and built a garrison where Louisvill now stands, and from thence descended the Ohio to a place called the “Brick Chimneys” Sank our boats and went by land to the Illinois, attacked the French towns, captured the enemy made a Prissenor of the Governor [Phillipe de Rastel, sieur de Rocheblave] and sent him on to Washington City [sic] with a part of the army. the balance of the army remained at the French towns until fall, when Capt. Bowmans company was sent to the “Coho” on the Missippi river, where we remained until Spring, from thence we returned to the Illinois, and thence to to the Wabash. at the latter place he was discharged. (cant tell for what length of time he Enlisted.) and returned home after which he was drafted under Capt Geo. Chrisman and went against Cornwallis. Served out the term (cant tell how long.) returned home, and was again Drafted and Capt Harris and “went against Cornwallis again” cant tell how long he was in service, – and was drafted two or three times afterwards and went against Cornwallis.
after all the forgoing Service he went was out after the tories under Capt Harris on the South branch. that Doct. Robt. Southern drew his declaration. agreed to give him the first years draw.
he drew $299 and only paid him eighty dollars.
I do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Test
P. B. Byrne } Peter Coger
Saml. Arnold } A Copy W. G Singleton
Memo. Isaac Mace proved the services of Coger & Coger proved Maces Services. both cases are fraudulent. W.G.S.
Department of War Pen Off Jan’y 29, 1836
Sir In reply to your enquiry respecting the claims of Peter Coger [pension application S10481] and Jno Cottrill, I have the honor to state, that the name of Mr. Coger was dropped from the pension roll, upon the ground that he did not serve as he had alleged, his claim not being sustained by satisfactory proof. But as it appears that by the printed list of the soldiers names under Gen’l [George Rogers] Clark, that Mr Coger is entitled to bounty land, the claim will be again opened for a revision. In order therefore to arrive at a satisfactory result in this case, the Department will in the first instance require a copy of the proof exhibited by Mr. Coger, upon which he was adjudged to be entitled to bounty land.
The name of John Cottrell is not found upon the Ca Continental roll, and the proof now filed in this Office is not satisfactory —
I return herewith the letter of Mr. Hayes and have the honor &c
Hon Jos Johnson H[ouse] of Rep[resentatives]
Office of the Commissioner of Revolutionary Claims, of the State of Virginia.
I hereby certify, that the name of Peter Cogar, a private, appears on the two payrolls mentioned below, which Payrolls are now on file in this office – to wit, one headed “Payroll – Captain Joseph Bowmans Company of Foot, continued at the Illinois under the Command of Col. George Rogers Clarke, commencing the 8 August and ending the 14 of December 1778" – The other headed as follows – to wit – “Payroll – Captain Abraham Kellar’s Company, continued at the Illinois, under the Command of George Rogers Clark, commencing 14 December 1778 & ending the 8th May 1779" — That on the first mentioned payroll the said Peter Cogar is noticed as having enlisted August 8th 1778 and on the last, he is noticed as having been discharg’d May 8th 1779 —
That although the said Payrolls are not said, in the captions of them, to be payrolls of volunteers under General Clark, they are believed to be such – That Peter Cogar had heretofore been reported by me entitled to bounty land, for a service of three years, through mistake, into which I was led by the Captions of the said Payrolls and other causes — that it now appears, he was a volunteer under Gen’l. (then Col) George Rogers Clark, in service at the taking of the British Posts in the Illinois Country, and discharged when that service ended – and that he is entitled under the Land bounty Law of Virginia to 200 acres of land for his services, he having received no bounty land under the said Law, & never having applied for any as is believed.
John H Smith Comm’r. &c Feby 5 1836
State of Virginia } SS
Braxton County }
Personly appeared before me the Subscriber one of the Acting Justices of the peace in & for the County of Braxton, Tunis McLWane [spelled “McIlvanie” in another document in the file and “McClevane” in the 1840 federal census] aged he says from the Best information he has been able to get (he having no register of his age) 75 years some time this fall, that he has been well acquainted with Peter Coger (who has heretofore been on the pension Roll of the united states) from the days of their youth. that is to say from the time affiant was about 10 years of age that he well recollects that the said Peter Coger and his Brother Jacob Coger were absent at times from the neighbourhood where they were raised, in the County of Rockingham in the State of Virginia During the period of the Revolutionary War and upon their return was informed by the said Peter Coger & Jacob Coger that they had been in the army of the United States then Engaged in the Struggle for the Independance. And upon one Occation of their absence, upon their Return understood from them and It was the general understanding of the neighbourhood that they had been in the Service of the United States in the Expedition to the Illinois Country Commanded by Col. George Rogers Clark, and that affiant does veryly believe that Both Peter Coger and his Brother Jacob Coger did faithfully serve the full time for which they had enlisted.
affiant Recollects of Peter Cogar having served in the militia upon several occations upon one Occation his Captain was of the name of Capt. George Cresman in the County of Rockingham in the State of Virginia affiant was Born and Raised in the said County of Rockingham and his acquaintance with the said Peter Coger has been such that he cannot be mistaken as to the man.
affiant has all confidence in the statements of the said Peter Coger and Does veryly believe that he was at the Siege of York in 1781 — the above affidavit was sworn to before me this 9 Day of March 1837 & I the said Justice of the peace do hereby Certify that tunis McLWane is a Respectable man and that his statements are Entitled to Credit.
State of Virginia }
Lewis County }
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the County of Lewis Isaac Mace and Made oath that he has been acquainted with Peter Coger from his youth and that he has Reason to beleave that he Served a Number of towers of duty as a private in the Militia of Virginia and the Reason why he beleaves so is that he has often heard Peter Coger talk of having been in the army under Col. George Rogers and Clark and that he the said Mace served a tower of six months with him in the year of 1777 and that they both volunteered in augustia [sic: Augusta] County and that peter Coger went under Capt. Ragen and he under Capt. Hopkins [possibly John Hopins] and that they comenced their march from augusty County in the month of July or august to Stanton [sic: Staunton] and from stanton to the warm springs and from the warm spring to the Sevanah fort [sic: Fort Savannah] Now cald Lewisburg and from thence to the big Kanawha and from thence to point Pleasant as which place shortly after their arival Corn Stock was kild and there remained till Descharged and I the said Justice do Certify that I beleave the statement of the said Mace is entitled to Creddit Given under my hand and seal this 8 day of april 1837 th
State of Virginia } SS
Lewis County }
Personly appeared in open Court before me Edwin S. Duncan Judge of the Circuit Superiour Court of Law and Chancery for the County of Lewis, State of Virginia Peter Coger, aged as he says upwards of Eighty years and made the following decleration; for the purpose of being reinstated upon the pention Roll and to obtain the binifit of the Law passed the 7 of June 1832 providing for the Soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
Who after having been duly sworn according to Law Declares that he entered the Service of the united States, in the year 1777. That he volunteered his service in a Company of Militia in the County of Augusta in the State of Virginia Commanded by Captain Ragan that they commenced their march in the Month of July or August from Staunton to the Warm Springs to Savanah fort now Lewisburg in the County of Greenbrier State of Virginia. to Big Kenhawa to point Pleasant whilst we lay at this place Cornstalk the Indian Chief was kill’d We Remaind here guarding the Western frontier of Virginia untill the time for which we had Volunteerd Expired and we ware discharged having served the united states Six months
That in the month of April 1778 he again in Company with his Brother Jacob Entered the Service of the united states under the command of Capt. Abraham Boman, that Both himself and his Brother Jacob Volunteered for the Term of one year Expressly to Join the Expedition under taken by Col. George Rogers Clark against the British and Indians in the Illenois Country, that by an arraingment with Capt. Boman Declarant & Brother Joined the Rigiment at Wheeling; at the time Declarant Volunteered in this service he was a Citizen of Rockingham County & State of Virginia and volunteered in said County We enbark’d. on board of Keil Boats at Wheeling and Decended to the falls of the Ohio. We landed at the falls and built Cabbins on the Island and left a number of families and some Soldiers for their protection We then Embark’d and Decended to the Burnt Chimneys here landed and sunk our boats and Commenced our march by Land to the Illenois a very Tedious and fatiguiing Journey. On the night of the Last days march We marched all night and about Cock Crow in the morning We completed our landing on the Opposite side of the Illenois River, having had only one small boat to ferry us all across We marched directly for the fort and Took possession there of Our approach had been Conducted so quietly and secretly that the fort had no notice of their Danger untill it was two late to make risistance. in this fort we found a Governor & his lady who ware made Prisoners and Declarrant under stood that the governor was sent as a prisonner to the Governor of Virginia. We Remaind here but a few days.
Col Clark placed this fort under a guard and marched with the main Body of his troops to a place call’d Coho of which we took possession Whilst at this place an Express arrived to Col. Clark from fort Vincenes [sic: Vincennes] We immediately took up the line of march for that place. upon our arrival a Battle took place which Resulted in the Recapture of the post by our Troops [25 Feb 1779] Declarrant understood that the post had been in possession of the Americans under the Command of Capt. Helm, who had been forced to surrender it to the British & Indians [17 Dec 1778]. after the Retaking Declarrant understood that the Command of the post was a gain geven unto Capt. Helm – Who with his troops Declarrant understood Came from Old Virginia a party of Indians who had been out on a war party Returned shortly after the Recapture of this fort bringing with them a number of prisoners. before the Indians became notified of the fort having changed Masters some of them ware taken and immediately Kil’d at fort Vincines the time for which Declarant and his brother Jacob had entered the Service of the united states Expired and they ware honorably discharged having served twelve months at the time Declarrant Entered the Service he was promised bounty Land, but to this day he has not Received Either Land or money or any other pay owing to the ill health of both Declarant & his Brother Jacob, who had the fever and Ague. they did not Reach home untill July 1779. that Early in the Spring of 1780 he Substituted for a Tower of three months in the place of John Kieble in a Company of Militia in Rockingham County State of Virginia Commanded by Captain Jeremiah Ragan and Lt . . . . Smith. We marched from to the Lower part of Virginia marching through Richmond and Joind the Regiment declarrant does not Recollect the names of his field officers.
they ware strangers to him. the Company officers ware his neighbours. the occurrances of the Campaign has principally gone out of his Recollection. he recollects that on one occation, himself and 10 or 12 others of the men stopt in a field to pick blackberries, that whilst so engaged a small squd [squad] of British light horse attack’d them but being fired upon ceasd to persue us and we made the best of our way to the Regiment who had halted upon hearing the sound of the guns. We Explaind and marched on and cross’d the appomattox River in crossing the boat capsised and Drownd one man We decended the Country to a considerable distance and then Returned up the Country to Frederexbourg where Declarrant was discharged having served the United States as a substitute for John Keiser three months
About one month after Declarrant had been discharged as a substitute he was Regularly drafted Into the Service of the united states, in the County of Rockingham State of Virginia for a Tour of three months and placed under the Command of Capt. John Hopkins and Lieutenant Daniel Dust. the Company Met at Col. Smiths [probably Daniel Smith’s] in Rockingham County We marched by the most direct rout for the north Carolina line thence down the Country below Richmond and Remaind in this section guarding the Country until the three month Expired when declarant was discharged near the appomattox river having faithfully served 3 months at this time. In the Spring of the year 1781 Declarrant was again drafted into the Service of the united states for the Term of Six months, in the County of Rockingham and State of Virginia, and placed under the Command of Captain George Cresman and Lieutenant Jacob Linkhorn [sic: Jacob Lincoln] Our Company Rendezvous at the hous of John Crisman brother to Captain Cresman, marched by the most direct rout to Frederexbourg Va. during this campaign we ware often in danger of being engaged with the Enemy which we avoided by Retreating on one Occation we ware compell’d to wade a Deep Creek. We had no fighting untill we ware in formed that General Washington was beseigeing Lord Cornwallace at yorktown [28 Sep - 19 Oct] at this time our regiment Lay at Portsmouth Va. from thence we marched by ford’d. [forced] marches to Join the main army at York. We continued at this place besiegeing the Enemy untill the time Declarrant had been drafted for Expired and he was discharged having served six months at this time, which when added to his former service Rendered to the united states makes the term of two years & six months. Declarrant knows of no person now living by whom to prove his services further than is set forth in the affidavits of his two friends, to wit Tunis MclWane & Isaac Mace, the affidavits are here with filed in Declarrant being at this time a Citizen of the County of Kenhawa State of Virginia. for Reason why he applies to this Court, says that he is very old and infirm man that he lives near the line Dividing the two Counties. that from his hous to Kenhawa a considerable part of the way is a wilderness and he is unable to get on and off his hors with out assistance. that between his hous and Weston he has Relatives Living who does when he comes to Weston come with him and assist him Weston is the County Seat of Lewis County. he further states that owing to the bad health of Isaac Mace It was impossible to procure his attendance at Court and was compelled to take his affidavit before a Justice of the peace. Also that Tunis McLWane lives in Braxton County and Declarrant knows of no process by which he could compell him to attend court he therefore has taken his affidavit, . . . .
In further proof of Declarrant Claim to be Reinstated he Refers to the Army Register furnished by law for the information of the Publick in which will be found the name of Declarrant and his Brother Jacob
Declarrant makes this Decleration with the more confidence from the Instruction of W. G. Singleton in the following words. Viz. Go to Mr Quarier in Charlstown Kenhawa make your Decleration a new. Make it before Judge Summers then enclose it to me at Winchester (pay the postage) and I will enclose it to Mr. Edwards Com of Penns. W. G. Singleton
Peter Coger Declarrant hereby Relinquishes all claim to a pention from any other law whatever (Except the present application
Q 1. Where were you Born
On the Hawksbill in the County of Shenandoah State of Virginia [Hawksbill Creek, now in Page County]
2. Where did you live when you Entered the service of the united states and how did you Enter it
Answer:
I lived in Rockingham County Virginia
I first in 1777. Volenteered for six months
I 1778. Volenteered for 12 months for the Illinois Service
in 1781. Substituted for John Keeser for 2 months
1780 Drafted for three months
1781 Drafted for six months
Question 3: How old are you and have you any Register of your Age
A. from the Best calculation I am able to make I am upward of Eighty years
I have no Register of my age
Q.4 Under what officers did you enter the Service and what field officers ware you acquainted with in the service
Answer
My first service was under Captain Ragan as a Volenteer
Second under Capt Boman
third under Capt Ragan
fourth under Capt Hopkins
fifth under Capt Chrisman
I was acquainted with Col. G. R. Clark often saw Geo. Washington and many other officers but have forgotten many of their names being only a private formd no acquaintance with more than the Company officers who ware my neighbours in my youth
5 Where have you lived since you left the Army
A Shortly after the war I Removed to Franklin County V.a [formed from Bedford and Henry counties in 1786]
in 1824 Removed to Elk River in Randolph County
I now live in Kenhawa County.
Declarant has never been informed why he his pention has been stopd nor does he know of any Reason why It should have been so stopd and as further Evidence to the Court of his having been on the Pention Roll he here with files his pention Certificate
Sworn to and subscribed in the presence of the Court [signed] Pete Coger
Winchester June 6, 1837.
Dear Sir: The accompanying declaration of Peter Coger has been transmitted to me with a request that I would cause the same to be laid before you for your action thereon.
This is one of the few cases in which I did not make a personal examination, a Mr. Byner of Lewis County instigated the case for me, and it was upon his representation that I advised his being stricken from the Pension roll. – Subsequently (I think last fall) the old Gentleman Mr. Coger called on me when at Clarksburg and gave me a long talk on the subject of his revolutionary services, he seemed to be frank truthful and honest, and such I was informed by Gentlemen of integrity was his character – I advised him to go to Charleston Kenawha County (the county of his residence) and there to make his declaration anew before Judge Summers. (See memo of mine appended to his present papers) he has however made it before Judge Duncan in Lewis county for reasons which he assigns[?]. I hope this in itself will not prejudice his case, all upon the face of the papers seems to be fair and above board.
I will thank you to give the case your early consideration and let me know the result that I may communicate the same to Mr. Coger, Very respectfully Your obt serv’t.
W. G Singleton
NOTES:
Cornstalk, his son Ellinipsico, and Black Hawk were murdered while being held as hostages for the safety of soldiers at Point Pleasant. After Lt. James Gilmer was killed while hunting turkeys, some American soldiers murdered the hostages. See pension applications of James Harrison (S5496) and William Pryor (S8979).
W. G. Singleton was sent to investigate a large number of fraudulent pension applications from Lewis County. (See the pension application of David W. Sleeth S6111 for details.) Singleton mistook Coger’s reference to Cornstalk at Point Pleasant as a false claim by Coger that he had been in the Battle of Point Pleasant where Cornstalk was defeated on 10 Oct 1774. Singleton’s error resulted in Coger’s pension being restored to only $30 per year from the $80 it had been before it was erroneously suspended.
George Washington did not return to Virginia until 14 Sep 1781, and he did not go to
Richmond.
In a letter dated 12 Jul 1837 regarding the issuance of a new pension certificate, Peter Coger is described as follows: “The old man is verry frail and verry poor; he lives in a remote corner of Kanawa County.”
https://revwarapps.org/s10481.pdf
- ↑ John Peter Cogar
b. 1753, Rockingham Co VA [then Augusta County]
Revolutionary War Service
"Acquainted with Tunis McElwain from the days of their youth"
Peter married Mary "Polly" McElwain, sister of Tunis McElwain, in Rockingham County VA September 3, 1781.
Daughter Sarah married Henry Mace, son of Isaac Mace, in 1820.
Daughter Phoebe, b. 1812 [other sources say abt. 1807], married Adam Starcher 1828, Philip Starcher's son
Living with son-in-law Adam Starcher in 1833.
Son Daniel Cogar, b. 1810, married Hannah Starcher 1841, Philip Starcher's niece
http://www.abstarcher.com/allfamilies.htm
- Letter of Miss Emma Cogar, Dec 31,1937
- A Dec 31, 1937 letter of a Miss Emma Coger to US government {probably War Department] requesting pension papers for either Peter or Jacob Coger or both. It appears both may have served in the Illinois Regtunder the command of a Captain Jeremiah Ragan then under Abraham Rowman at which point both men served with Geneal Geoge RogersClark in his campain against the Indians.
- Peter Coger, Number S.1048, Virginia, Volunater July 1777, Drafted 1781, recieved pension up until 1837,
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