Person:George Hanger (2)

On this 24th day of June 1834 personally appeared before me Henry Erskine a Justice of the Peace for said County of Greenbrier and State of Virginia, George Hanger, a resident of said County and state of Virginia aged 74 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 the 7th June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

1st. That in the year 1779 or 1780 [sic: see statement to Singleton below] he entered the service of the United States as a Volunteer under Capt. Thomas Smith in the County of Augusta Va. and was marched from that County to the City of Richmond and put under the command of Col. George Mathews and served one month and discharged in Richmond. That he was in no engagement in this tour and after his discharge he returned home to Augusta County.

2nd. In the year 1782 [sic] he was again called into service by draft for three months in said County of Augusta and put under the command of Capt Buckhanon [sic: Patrick Buchanan] and marched from Augusta County to James Town on the James River below Richmond and put under the command of Col. Michael Bowyer [sic: William Bowyer] and was kept reconnoitering the country about James Town and was in a Battle that took place with the British at James Town in June of that year [Battle of Green Springs Plantation, 26 Jun 1781] and served out his tour of three months and was discharged at James Town and after being discharged returned home to Augusta County again.

3rd. That shortly after his return home he substituted for John Handly to serve a six months tour and after having entered the service he was detailed as a waggoner to drive a team that was pressed to haul the baggage and was marched to the siege of York [Siege of Yorktown, 28 Sep - 19 Oct 1781] and was there at the taking of Cornwallace [sic: Cornwallis] some time after the surrender of Cornwallace he was discharged. That he did not serve out the time he substituted for owing to the surrender of Cornwallace. But he feels well satisfied he served three months and a half he rather thinks more but to be perfectly satisfied he will place it at three and a half months.

That he has no documentary evidence by which to substantiate his claim to service. That he did receive written discharges but believing them not to be of service he did not take care of them and they have been lost and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure except the evidence of George Keller. [pension application R5827] John Handley and William Handley which he hereby submits

That 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

(signed) George [his X mark] Hanger

This day William Handley aged 82 years came before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for s’d county and made oath that he is well acquainted with George Hanger and knows of his receiving a gray mare to go and serve a tour of duty in the Revolutionary war as a substitute for John Handley his brother and believes he did go and serve s’d tour And that from his knowledge and acquaintance with s’d Hanger he believes him to be 74 years of age and that he is a reputable man and that it is believed in his neighborhood that he served in the revolutionary war and that from his knowledge of him and of his service as a soldier in s’d war he concurs in that opinion.

[signed] Wm Handly

Sworn to and subscribed this 24th day June 1834 before me

Henry Erskine JP

Questions answered by George Hanger:

Question 1: Where and [in what] year were you born?

Answer: I was born in Shenandoah County [formed from Frederick County in 1772] in the year 1759 7th Feb’y of that year

Question 2: Have you any record of your age?

Answer: I have not, but I have seen the record frequently in my Fathers bible

Question 3: Where were you living when called into service and where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?

Answer: I lived in Augusta County Va. when called into service I lived for some time after in the same County. I removed to Greenbrier about forty years ago and have lived there ever since

Question 4: How were you called into service - were you drafted, did you volenteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?

Answer: I was first a volenteer, 2d I was drafted and served three months, 3d I was a substitute for Jno. Handley and served 3½ months or more

Question 5: State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served such Continental and Militia Regiments as you recolect and the general circumstances of your service

Answer: I have stated my Capt. and Col. in my decleration. When I was at James Town General [Anthony] Wayne was the commanding Gen’l. At York Town, Washington, Wayne, LaFayette, Mulenburg [sic: Peter Muhlenberg] &c commanded

Question 6: Did you ever receve a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what have become of them?

Answer: I did receve discharges 1st at Richmond by Col. Mathews, 2d at James Town by Col Bowyer, 3d at York by the Waggon Master but believing them not of much value I did not take care of them and they have been lost

Question 7: State the names of persons in to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood who can testify as to your character for verasity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution

Answer: Wm Handly. and Thomas Crigh [sic: Thomas Creigh] are acquainted with me and can testify to my character as a man of truth and I can get many other should it be required

Sworn to and subscribed before me 24th June 1834

(signed) George [his X mark] Hanger

Henry Erskine JP

Greenbrier County to wit. This day came John Handley before me G. R. Gillilen a Justice of the peace for said and made oath that George Hanger Served a tower as a substitute for me at the Seige of little york under the command of General Washington. Given under my hand this 23rd of November 1833.

G. R. Gillilen

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Category: Early Settlers of Old Augusta