James H. Harrison

Pension Application of James Harrison: S5496

                       Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris

Rockbridge County} State of Virginia} Septr. 3d 1832

           On this day personally appeared in open Court now sitting, said Court being a Court of Record for the County of Rockbridge, James Harrison, a resident of sd. County & State, aged 76 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 he entered into the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.

           This applicant states that he marched from said County of Rockbridge (then Bottetourt [sic: Botetourt] County as a volunteer, sometime in the fall of 1777, under Capt. John Paxton then of sd County now dead, to point Pleasant, against the Shawnie [sic: Shawnee] Indians, that his company rendesvoused in sd. County at Capt. William Paxtons, in this County near the north River, and about one week afterwards, marched to Capt. John Paxtons, near Lexington, thence through Colliers Town in sd. County, on to Capt. Donallys Fort, [near present Frankford WV] in Greenbrier, and thence to Point Pleasant and met there, after this applicant had arrived, General [Edward] Hand, from Pittsburgh. whilst there this applicant, witnessed the death of Cornstalk, the Shawanee Indian King, and his son Ellenipsico [sic: Ellinipsico], and two of his warriors, Red Hawk and Petallo. This applicant cannot recollect the lenghth of time he served in this tour. he can only say that he went early in the fall, from his recollection, and from his having slept comfortably in open Barns, when he started, and that he returned a short time before Christmas. – he states that when General Hand arrived at Point Pleasant, and from the Indians, already mentioned slain, and concluding that the weather was too cold to go on against the Indian Towns, and on account of a lack of provisions, he disbanded the men. Col. Dickinson [sic: John Dickenson], from Bath, and Col. [George] Skillern from Bottetourt on James River, both now dead, were officers in this expedition. For evidence of his serving in this expedition, he can refer to living witness in this County, within his knowledge He was discharged by Col. Dickinson from this tour of service, which discharge he has lost.– This applicant [several words illegible] that he marched from the County of Amherst in said state, drafted as a Militia man, under Capt. Shelton, then of Amherst, and now dead, in the spring or summer of 1779, to Albemarle Barracks to guard the British prisoners. the chief commander at the Barracks, was Col. [Francis] Taylor from Orange. This tour of service was three months. he received a discharge in this tour, which he has lost. the only evidence, within his knowledge of his having served in this Tour is Capt. John Ware, whose testimony he is now unable to procure, by reason of his absence from the Country.

           This applicant further states, that in his next tour of service, he served three months, was drafted as a Militia man, sometime he thinks in the winter of the same year 1779. and marched from Amherst, under Capt. Ambrose Rucker, to Albemarle Barracks. Col. Taylor from Orange, was still commander at the Barracks.

           This applicant farther states that in the June following in the year 1780 [sic], about the time Tarlton [sic: Banastre Tarleton] was about Richmond and Charlottesville [in June 1781], he was called out by Hugh Rose, the Col. of Amherst County, to exchange British Prisoners at James Town, and to deliver Deserters from the American ranks then at New London in Bedford [now Campbell] County, state of Virginia, to American recruiting officers. he states that he was above six months engaged in this business. he was also engaged six months longer in Patrolling the County twice a week, to detect any effort on the part of the tories to disaffect the negroes. This applicant further states that he was born in Culpepper [sic: Culpeper] County State of Virginia, the 4th Sept’r. 1755, the year of Braddocks defeat, he has a record of his age. he was living in the county of Amherst, sd. State when called into service, and for the last 20 years has been living in the sd. County of Rockbridge. This applicant refers to Jefferson Crawford, & Adam Hickman of his neighbourhood for evidence in his behalf.

           He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity, except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the Agency of any State —

           Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year above written – [signed] James Harrison

_________________________

VIRGINIA MILITIA IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR PART II Virginia's Share in the Military Movements of the Revolution page 112

HARRISON, JAMES.--Rockbridge, Sept. 3, 1832. Born in Culpeper, Sept. 4, 1755. In fall of 1777, marched under Capt. John Paxton to Point Pleasant by way of Fort Donally. Gen. Hand soon arrived from Pittsburgh. Applicant witnessed the death of Cornstalk, his son Ellinipsico, and two other warriors, Red Hawk and Petalla. Returned shortly before Christmas. Gen. Hand disbanded the troops because of the lateness of the season and short supply of provisions. Applicant was drafted from Amherst in the Spring or summer of 1779 to serve under Capt. Shelton in guarding the British prisoners at Albemarle Barracks. Col. Taylor, of Orange, was in charge of them. The next term, also three months, he served there again, under Capt. Ambrose Rucker and Col. Taylor. This was the winter of 1780-'81. Next season, while Tarleton was above Richmond, he was called out by Col. Hugh Rose, of Amherst, to exchange British prisoners at Jamestown and deliver deserters from the American ranks (these being at New London, Bedford County), to American recruiting officers. Was thus engaged six months, and six months longer in patrolling his county twice a week to thwart any effort by the tories to disaffect the negroes.

GEDCOM Source

@R-1145555064@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

GEDCOM Source

Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=79059122&pid...