MySource:Cthrnvl/Skaggs, William Pension Application 1853

WILLIAM (Polly) SKAGGS, W2182, BLWT 27564-160-55 Ancestor's Name: WILLIAM SKAGGS Wife's Name (1) MARY SIMPSON (2) POLLY PIERCE

Date of Birth 12/20/1757 NC Date of Death 8/20/1848 KY State of Service VA Spy PNSR WPNS

William (Polly) Skaggs, W2182, BLWT 27564-160-55

August 23, 1832, Green County, Kentucky, William Skaggs, resident of said county, aged 75 years born (b. 1757) stated that he entered the service of the United States under the following officers and served as herein stated.

In 1778 in the month of March he was called and entered the service as an Indian Spy and continued to serve until the last of October or the first of November in the same year. He entered into the service in the State of Virginia, the name of the county not now recollected, but it was near the head of the Clinch River in the company commanded by Captain Thomas Mastin. While in service he and Thomas Ray were allotted to scout as spies in the boundary laid off commencing at the head of the Clinch River and extending to the "Big Cain brake" on Big Sandy River, a distance of about twenty-five miles. It was made their duty to go about one mile below the cane brake for the purpose of meeting two other spies. On one excursion as they were proceeding from the head of the Clinch River to the line (?) of their boundary and on their way they discovered that some Indians had taken up another fork of the Sandy along a "Buffellow" track which led toward the country settled by the whites, so as soon as they made the discovery they turned their course and endeavored to reach the settlement before the Indians so that some efficient means might be effected for the purpose of repelling their invasions. When they reached the settlement they were informed that the Indians had reached some parts of the settlement the night before and attempted to conduct some depredations and that they had attacked the father of said William as he was returning from a neighbor's house and pursued him with such violence that he was compelled to turn and fire, by which he was successful in putting an end to one of his pursuers.

In the spring of 1779, the month not recollected, he enlisted in the Virginia militia in the State of Virginia and near the head of the Clinch River in a company commanded by Captain Mastin in the regiment commanded by Colonel Shelby and served three months. Immediately after his enlistment Colonel Shelby, together with his corps, made a tour by water down to the "Chickemaugy" town on the south side of the Tennessee River which town was entirely settled by the Cherokee Indians, which they invaded, killing many Indians. After they put to flight and destroyed the inhabitants of the place, they put fire to the town and entirely consumed it. When the destruction of the town was completed Captain Bean proposed raising a scouting party for the purpose of searching for some of the inhabitants of the town who had made their escape. Some thirty soldiers joined Bean, among whom was WILLIAM SKAGGS. They left the main army and marched a north course across the Cumberland Mountains. Shortly after they had crossed the mountains they discovered an encampment of the Indians which they immediately invated and three of the Indians and took three prisoners. In that attack he had the good fortune to take a squaw as a prisoner. After this success they marched to meet the main army and fell in with them at their encampment on a small creek. They were marched from there to Powells Valley when owing to the great scarity of provisions, the army was disbanded, and they marched home where they were discharged. He received a written discharge from Captain Mastin which he kept for many years, but it was consumed in the flames of the roof which protected his family in conjunction with all his household property. He had no documentary evidence of his service whatever nor is there any living witness within his knowledge by whom he could establish the same in any part thereof.

William Skaggs was born in 1757 in North Carolina. Charles Blevins, clergyman, of Green County, Kentucky, and Samuel Brent, resident of the same, certified that they were acquainted with William Skaggs, who was a soldier of the Revolution.

March 10, 1853, Green County, Kentucky, Mrs. Polly Skaggs, resident of said county, 80 years old, (1773) stated that she was the widow of William Skaggs, deceased, who was a pensioner of the Revolutionary War. He resided in Green County for a number of years and up to the time he died. After his death she drew a fraction of a pension which was due from the last semi-annual draw to the time he died. The fact of the death and the time of death of Skaggs and the rate of pension was certified and filed.

She was married to William Skaggs on September 2, 1802, in Green County, Kentucky. Her husband died on the 20th of August 1848. She was still a widow. Because of her age and bodily infirmity she was unable to travel or to attend court to make the declaration.

Green County, Kentucky marriages: September 2, 1802, William Skaggs and Polly Pearce.

March 17, 1855, Green County, Kentucky, Polly Skaggs, widow of William Skaggs, deceased, aged 75 years (1780) (notice the discrepancy in her age), made her application for a pension and was drawing the same from the agency in Louisville. Her certificate is dated May 17, 1853, No. 404. She now applied for bounty land.

William Skaggs of Green County, Kentucky, who was a private in the company of Captain Mastin in the regiment of Colonel Shelby in the Virginia Line for eleven months, was inscribed on the roll of Kentucky at the rate of $36.66 per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Certificate of pension issued August 21, 1833.

Polly Skaggs, widow of William Skaggs, was inscribed on the roll at the rate of $36.66 per annum to commence on February 3, 1853. Certificate of pension issued May 17, 1853.