Pension application of Siars (Siras) Hamrick S18009 f20VA
Transcribed by Will Graves 2/7/14
State of Virginia Hampshire County Sct.
On this 2nd day of November 1833 personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace
in and for the said County Siras Hamrick an old and very infirm man a resident of the County of Hampshire and State of Virginia aged 80 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 7th 1832.
That in the month of August 1775 he enlisted under Captain James Scott of Fauquier
County Virginia, marched from Fauquier to Culpeper C. H. [Culpeper Court House] where he
joined the Battalion to learn the excise and from Culpeper C. H. marched on the first of
September to Williamsburg to subdue Governor Dunmore [John Murray, Lord Dunmore, last
Royal Governor of the colony of Virginia] and his insurrection and from Williamsburg marched
to Hampton where he took part in the capture of the brig or tender and her men, from Hampton
returned to Williamsburg and was discharged. In this tour under Captain Scott he served three months.
That in November following he again enlisted under Captain John Chilton at
Williamsburg marched to old James Town where he crossed James River and went down to
Suffolk thence to the Great Bridge where he was engaged in the defeat of Foredice [Charles
Fordyce, Battle of Great Bridge, December 9, 1775] and the taking of the Fort on the 8th day of December 1775 and continued there until the close of the winter. About the latter part of March following marched to Suffolk and from thence back to Williamsburg where they gave up their arms and were discharged – was allowed to draw provisions at Fredericksburg on his way home where he arrived sometime in April of 1776. In this tour under Captain Chilton he served four months.
That in August 1776 he served three months under Captain Elias Edmonds [Elias Edmunds] and joined a Battalion at Williamsburg which was formed of men from different Counties. This was the time so many died in Williamsburg of the Camp Fever. In this tour he served three months under Captain Edmonds
That in the month of March 1781 he began another three months tour under Captain John
T Chunn of Fauquier County – in this tour he was wounded by the British at Williamsburg and
was discharged a few days before the time was out. That he was orderly Sergeant in the Service under Captain Chunn – Edmonds, Chilton, and Scott during the whole time he was in the service.
That he knew the following Officers Major Obannon, Colonel Churchwell [probably
Armistead Churchill] and General Weeden [George Weedon], Major Marshall, Colonel Stephens
[Edward Stevens] from Culpeper were there officers in the minute service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever 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.
S/ Siars Hamrick
[William Welch, a clergyman, and Thomas Dye gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
Question 1st Where and in what year were you born?
Answer. My father and mother said I was born April 4th 1753 in the County of Fauquier State of Virginia.
2nd Question. Have you any record of your age? And if so where is it?
Answer. In my Father's Bible and my grandfather's Bible which I now have in my possession.
3rd Question. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the
Revolutionary war and where do you now live?
Answer. When first called into service I was living in the County of Fauquier Virginia; have
lived since the Revolution in the said County of Fauquier until the year 1790 and since the year 1790 I have lived in the County of Hampshire Virginia and now live in the said County of Hampshire.
4th Question. How were you called into service; were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute?
Answer. I was enlisted under Captain Scott & served three months and enlisted under Captain
Chilton and served four months. I was drafted under Captain Edmonds & served three months
and I was also drafted under Captain Chunn & served three months.
5th Question. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops where
you served: such Continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general
circumstances of your service.
Answer. These I have stated in my declaration –
6 Question. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it?
Answer. I received a written Discharge from Captain Chunn which was also signed by Doctor
Boyd after I was wounded But I am unable to save what has become of it now.
7th Question. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood
and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer. I am known by Isaac Welch Senior, William Welch, Thomas Dye Senior, Samuel the
Davis Senior, Jacob Doll, Thomas Jones, John Cundifff Senior and Henry Liller Senior.
State of Virginia Hampshire County Sct.
On this 6th day of January 1834 personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in
and for said County Siars Hamrick an old and very infirm man in order to amend his Declaration made the 2nd day of November 1833 and hereunto annexed being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he does not now recollect what became of his sergeants Commission or warrant and has entirely forgotten it if he ever had any, he distinctly recollects that he discharged the duties as Sergeant as set forth in his said Declaration.
S/ Siars Hamrick
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $48.33 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for
service for 13 months as a private and Sergeant in the Virginia service.]
https://revwarapps.org/s18009.pdf
