American Military Units Which Participated in the Skirmish at Piscataway on March 1, 1777
Three Virginia Companies Commanded by Charles M. Thruston at Piscataway
Charles M.Thruston's company (Frederick Co., VA)
1st Lt.Philip Bush
2nd Lt. Edward Smith
Ens. John Gilkeson
Jacob Anderson - mentioned being in two skirmishes, Quibbletown and Piscataway
David Deaderick - orderly sergeant
John Grim - helped carry the wounded Thruston from the field - mentioned being in two skirmishes, Quibbletown and Piscataway
Henry Ransom
Charles Smith
Jacob Sperry
John Sperry
Matthias Shultz
Fielding Lewis (nephew of George Washington)
William Hickman - appointed aide-de-camp to Lord Sterling
John Kercheval
Charly Thruston - son of Capt. Thruston - named in John Kercheval’s pension
Henry Bush - son of the Lieutenant Bush - named in John Kercheval’s pension
William McGuin - named in John Kercheval’s pension
Capt. William Morgan's company (Berkeley Co., VA)
1st Lt. William Lucas
2nd Lt. Edward Lucas
3rd Lt. (or Ens.) George Michael Bedinger - pension
4th Lt. Cato Moore
George Hensel - pension
Michael Hensel (Hansel, Hentzel) - pension
John Riley
John McWilliams - pension
John Kearsley, Thomas Turner, George Morgan, Philip Robb, Peter Staley, George Reynolds, George Shaner, John Randall, etc.
Michael Engle - “taken prisoner” at “a skirmish at Piscataway”
Capt. George Scott (Berkeley Co., VA)
Lt. Robert Jackson
Ens. or Lt. James Campbell - wounded by a musket ball in the elbow of his left arm
James Carr - pension - two men killed; seven wounded of which three later died
John Freshour - pension - one of Captain Scott's Company was left dead on the ground. Another who had received a dangerous wound died soon after
Jacob Lewis - pension
Hugh Hunter - messmate of Jacob Lewis - killed at Piscataway according to Jacob Lewis
Abram McConnell - pension - did not mention any skirmishes
Note: James Scott’s company from Fauquier Co., VA did not participate in the skirmish at Piscataway.
However, in his pension application, John Norris mentioned several American units stationed around Quibbletown, including Thruston’s.
Capt. James Scott (Fauquier Co., VA)
1st Lt. William Kinchloe
2nd Lt. John Hathaway
Ens. James Hathaway
John Norris - pension
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other American Military Units Present at Piscataway
Blands Regiment Virginia Cavalry
James Gunn - helped carry the wounded Thruston from the field
Capt. Richard Call’s Company
Brief biography of Richard Call:
http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-12-02-0541
To George Washington from Colonel Theodorick Bland, 11 December 1777
...
Note 2.
...
Richard Call was appointed a first lieutenant in the 1st Continental Dragoons on 4
June 1776, and he was promoted to captain exactly six months later. He became
major of the 3d Continental Light Dragoons on 2 Oct. 1778. Call apparently remained
in the Continental service after the consolidation of the 1st and 3d Light Dragoons
on 9 Nov. 1782 and served until the coming of peace in 1783.
Maryland militia:
Background on the Maryland militia:
https://books.google.com/books?id=h6w1YPiY0nYC&pg=PA94&dq="brigadier+general+assigned"
History of Frederick County, Maryland, Volume 1
Thomas John Chew Williams, Folger McKinsey
Genealogical Publishing Com, 1979 - Reference - 1724 pages
p.94-95
… In January 1776 the State Convention ordered a levy of 1440 men for the defense of the Province and the Province was divided into districts, with a brigadier general assigned to each. Frederick County constituted one district and in this district Thomas Johnson Jr. was the brigadier general.*
...
_______
*The following is a list of officers of the battalions in what is now Frederick County.--
First Battalion, Charles Beatty, colonel; Wm. Beatty, Lieut-colonel; Ludwig Weltner, first major; Benjamin Johnson, second major; Louis Bush, quartermaster.
Second Battalion, James Johnson, colonel; Joseph Wood, lieutenant-colonel; Benjamin Ogle, first major; Roger Johnson, second major; Azel Waters, quartermaster.
Third Battalion, Jacob Good, colonel; Wm. Blair, lieutenant-colonel; Samuel Shaw, first major; William Shields, second major; Joseph McKillip, quartermaster.
Fourth Battalion, Baker Johnson, colonel; William Luckett, lieutenant-colonel; Jacob Miller, first major; Henry Darnell, second major; Nicholas Tice, quartermaster.
Note: Col. James John Johnson and Col. Baker Johnson were brothers of Brigadier General Thomas Johnson, who was soon elected the first governor of Maryland.
“our Party was Joined by a Regiment of Mary land Melitia commanded by Colo. Beatty from or near Frederick Town” (pension declaration of John Kercheval of Thruston’s company).
Col. Baker Johnson, Col. Charles A. Beatty, and maybe Col. James Johnson
Note: In his pension declaration Benjamin Beckwith mentioned a man named Montgomery who took command after Thruston was wounded. No appropriate person named Montgomery has been found in any other source. It may have been either Colonel Baker Johnson or Colonel Charles Beatty who was the second in command. Perhaps that individual ordered a retreat after Thruston was wounded. This might explain George Johnson’s comment in his letter of April 17th about “the cowardice of some of the Maryland Militia”.
In his pension declaration Capt. William Beckwith Head stated that he served in Col. James Johnson’s regiment. Head also stated he was in the affair at Quibbletown. It is not clear if this “affair” was the same as the one at Piscataway on 1 March 1777, but if it was, then Col. James Johnson is another possibility.
Capt. Duvall**
John Michael Luther
George Luther
**[“Although he [William Duvall] was 53 years of age as the Revolutionary War began, his military experience was of considerable value and he served as Captain of the Frederick Co Militia.”
Moira Ann Jacobs, Profiles of Patriots: A Biographical Reference of American Revolutionary War Patriots and their Descendants: El Palo Alto Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (2013), p.37.]
Capt. James Mackenell - who died soon after arriving in Philadelphia
Benjamin Beckwith
Capt. Michael Troutman
James Fleming - wounded in the leg on 1 March 1777
Michael Roll - in Troutman’s company but did not mention any fights he was in
Capt. William Beckwith Head - pension - was in the affair at Quibbletown [Was this “affair” the same as the one at Piscataway on 1 March 1777?]
1st Lt. Bigger Head (brother of William)
2nd Lt. Cornelius Ridge
Ens. Isaac Miller
three men killed, including Estler, a gunsmith in the affair at Quibbletown
Capt. William Shield
Lieutenant Muchael Hockersmith - The company participated in the Battle of Quibbletown, New Jersey in March of 1777. Was this skirmish the same as the one at Piscataway on 1 March 1777?]
Capt. John Carmack
Lieut. Daniel Shelor (Sheilor, (Sheiler) - was in a severe skirmish with the enemy at a place Quibbletown [Was this skirmish the same as the one at Piscataway on 1 March 1777?]
Possibly present:
8th Pennsylvania Regiment
Capt. Van Swearengen
===================================================================================
===================================================================================
===================================================================================
CONTEMPORARY DOCUMENTS
http://research.history.org/DigitalLibrary/BrowseVG.cfm - Virginia Gazette
Virginia Gazette, Purdie, Friday, January 24, 1777, page 2, column 3:
WILLIAMSBURG, Jan. 24.
...
Extract of a letter from Winchester, Jan. 8. [Wednesday]
"The company of Frederick Volunteers
commanded by the rev. Charles Mynn
Thruston, consisting of about 100 men,
marched from this town on Sunday last [Jan 5]**,
in order to join the army under the com-
mand of his excellency general Washing-
ton, in consequence of orders from the
Hon. Continental Congress. The greatest
part of the company consists of gentlemen
of the first rank in the county, and the sons
of the principal inhabitants of it. They
were all extremely well armed, and cloth-
ed in an exact uniform. From my know-
ledge of both officers and men, and from
the great cheerfulness and alacrity with
which they engaged in the common cause,
I have the most sanguine expectation they
will do honour to themselves, and render
service to their country."
**The calculated date of January 5th for “Sunday last” does not match well with some pension declarations which indicate that they left in December.
===================================================================
George Washington letters
http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-08-02-0262
Orders to Major General Stirling
[Head Quarters, Morristown, 4 February 1777]
My Lord,
You are to repair to Baskenridge and take upon you the command of the Troops now there, & such as may be sent to your care.1
You are to endeavour, as much as possible, to harrass and annoy the Enemy by keeping Scouting parties constantly (or as frequently as possible) around their Quarters.
As you will be in the Neighbourhood of Genls Dickenson and Warner I recommend it to you to keep up a corrispondance with them, and endeavour to regulate your Parties by theirs, so as to have some contantly out.
Use every means in your power to obtain Intelligence from the Enemy wch may, possibly, be better effected by engaging some of those People who have obtaind Protections, to go in under pretence of asking advice than by any other means.2
You will also use every means in your power to obtain, & communicate, the earliest accts of the Enemy’s Movements, and to Assemble in the speediest manner possible your Troops either for offence or defence. Given at Hd qr the 4th February 1777.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADf, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The last sentence of the draft is in John Fitzgerald’s writing.
1. Stirling’s home, said to be one of the finest country seats in New Jersey, was only one mile southeast of Basking Ridge.
2. Before writing the words “asking advice” in the draft, GW first wrote and marked through the phrase “knowing what they are to do and to ask advice.”
http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-08-02-0472
From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 25 February 1777
To Major General Stirling
My Lord. Head Qrs Morristown 25th February 1777.
I was last night favoured with your Letter of the 24th Instt.1 I concur in your Lordships proposition so far as it goes for incorporating the three Companies of Virginia Volunteers and forming them into a Batallion; But tho I have a high opinion of the conduct, merit & bravery of Captn Thruston, in whose behalf you have interested yourself, and would wish to do him any Favor, I cannot appoint him to the rank you mention. The reasons upon reflection, I am persuaded will readily occur to you & to him.2
The greatest part of the Officers and Men composing our present Army, are in the same predicament, and on the same footing with these three Companies, or differ but very little. Many have been longer in service, and coming from different States, they would not bear the distinction, or suffer it to pass without complaints & objecting to me a charge of partiality in favor of the Virginians. I feel strongly the reasons upon which your Lordships application is founded, but yet I trust, you and Captn Thruston maturely considering the delicate situation in which I stand, & the expediency of my steering clear of every cause of disgust and jealousy, will think with me, the measure unadvisable and improper. Upon the whole, I desire, that the Three Companies may be united in One Corps under Mr Thruston as Captn Commandant.
to prevent the inconveniences, which the Gentn apprehend would result from their not having Commissions in case of Captivity, I have inclosed certificates under my Hand, shewing the Rank and command they hold in the service of the States, but I cannot give Commissions in usual form. The precaution is prudent, but I hope their situation will never be such, as to prove that it was necessary.3
... I am My Lord with great esteem Yr Lordships Hb. Servt
Go: Washington
P.S. The Inclosed Certificates you will please to deliver. also the Letter for Mr Lewis in Capn Thruston’s Company.4
Captn Thruston will forward the Letter to W. Washington Esqr. when a safe conveyance to that part of the Country affords.5
G. W——n
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, NjP: De Coppet Collection; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, , DLC:GW. The postscript appears only on the receiver’s copy.
1. Stirling’s letter to GW of 24 Feb. 1777 has not been found.
2. Charles Mynn Thruston (1738–1812) of Frederick County, Va., who was a lieutenant in Col. William Byrd’s 2d Virginia Regiment during the French and Indian War, was ordained a minister in the Episcopal church in 1765. In early 1777 he resigned from the ministry to raise a company of volunteers for service with the Continental army in New Jersey, and on 1 Mar. 1777 he received a severe wound in a skirmish near Piscataway, N.J., that resulted in the loss of an arm (see GW to William Livingston, 3 Mar. 1777). GW offered Thruston the command of one of the Sixteen Additional Continental Regiments on 14 Mar., which Thruston accepted and commanded to 1 Jan. 1779 when he resigned from the army (see Thruston to GW, 14 Mar. 1777).
3. Charles Mynn Thruston’s certificate of appointment as captain commandant of the three companies is in DLC:GW. The certificates for captains George Scott (1754–1788) and William Morgan (1749–1816), both of Berkeley County, Va., have not been identified.
4. “Mr Lewis” apparently is GW’s nephew Fielding Lewis, Jr. (1751–1803), of Fredericksburg, Virginia. The letter to Lewis has not been identified.
Note:
http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-11-02-0079
To George Washington from Betty Washington Lewis, 25 September 1792
From Betty Washington Lewis
Sepbr 25th 1792
...
3. Fielding Lewis, Jr. (1751–1803), Betty Lewis’s eldest son, spent much of his life in dire financial straits. His extravagant lifestyle and careless handling of money were already evident at the age of 18 (see Fielding Lewis, Sr., to GW, 16 Sept. 1769, and note 3). By the time of his father’s death in 1781 he was deeply in debt (see Fielding Lewis, Jr., to GW, 22 Feb. 1784). By 1790 Fielding had sold not only most of the land he had inherited but also most of his worldly goods such as livestock, books, and furniture. Still he could not pay his creditors, and he was incarcerated in debtors’ prison in Winchester, Va., later that year (Felder, Fielding Lewis, 311).
5. The enclosed letter intended for William Washington has not been identified.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://memory.loc.gov/mss/mgw/mgw3b/002/326326.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/mss/mgw/mgw3b/002/327327.jpg
George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799: Series 3b Varick Transcripts
George Washington to William Alexander, Lord Stirling, February 25, 1777 -- Transcription
George Washington to Charles M. Thruston, February 25, 1777
Letterbook 2
Images 326 and 327 of 422
326.
...
No.107 To Captn. Charles Mynn Thruston.
-------- ----------------------
His Excellency George Washington. Esquire
General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the
Thirteen United States of America.
327.
To Captn. Charles Mynn Thruston Esquire
Whereas it will be for the benefit and advantage of the said States that
the three volunteer companies commanded by you, George Scott and
William Morgan. Esquire should be incorporated and formed
into one corps. I reposing especial trust and confidence in your
patriotism, valur, conduct and fidelity, do by virtue of the powers
to me committed by the Delegates of the said States in Congress assembled,
constitute and appoint you Capitain Commandant of the said three
companies; willing and commanding that they henceforth be incor-
porated and act in Battalion during their continuence in Service.
And I do hereby charge and require all officers and Soldiers,
belonging to the said respective Companies, to be obedient to your Orders
as captain commandant. And you are to observe and follow such
Orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from the
Congress of the United States, or from me, or any other your superior
Officer in the Army of the said States, according to the Rules and
discipline of War.
This commission to continue in force during the time
of Service of the said three companies, unless sooner revoked by
Congress or by me.
Given at Head Quarters Morris Town
this 25th day of Febry 1777
By his Excellency } G Washington
Cammand }
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-08-02-0524
From George Washington to William Livingston, 3 March 1777
To William Livingston
Sir. Head quarters. Morris Town. 3d March 1777.
The honour of receiving your favours 20th & 22d Ulto I am now to acknowledge.
…
The Enemy remain much in the same situation they did when I wrote you last—From a number of concurring Circumstances & corresponding Accts I am led to believe that the Enemy’s loss in killed & wounded on the 23d Ulto can not be less than 100—At the same time 7 prisoners were made—Capt. Thruston with the 3 Volunteer Companies from Virginia & some Maryland Militia had an Engagement near Piscataway on the 1st Instt. The effect has not yet reached me. The Captn was much wounded in the Arm, 3 of his party killed & 7 wounded.
…
===================================================================
Excerpts from the diary of Joseph Nourse:
https://msamaryland400.wordpress.com/2014/02/28/the-forage-war-and-the-battle-for-new-jersey/
The Forage War and the Battle for New Jersey
...
While armies traditionally did not fight during the winter, the Americans and British spent 1776-1777 engaged in a state of low-level hostility. The “Forage War,” an insurgency campaign largely conducted by local New Jersey militia companies, harassed the British whenever they ventured out into the countryside to gather food for their army (a practice known as foraging). It hamstrung the British, and their indiscriminate reprisals against New Jersey civilians turned a mostly Loyalist state into a staunchly pro-Independence one.
In addition, the Continental Army periodically carried out small attacks against the British. “It is reported …that [we] will attempt to storm Brunswick,” Nourse reported. He was often in the presence of the army’s senior leadership, so his information likely came from a reliable source. In fact, just a week later, it was proven to be quite true.
On Friday morning, February 28, 1777, Nourse and several companies of Virginia troops from Berkeley County (now in West Virginia) marched about twenty miles to the outskirts of Quibbletown (modern-day Piscataway). The next day,
“the whole of us, about 400, marched into the Enemies lines and attacked…but we were so disadvantageously posted that we could not stand our ground. We fought for ½ an Hour and then retreated.”
According to Nourse, two men were killed, and several wounded. ...
[original source: Miller Collection of Nourse Family Papers, Joseph Nourse, “Diary of Joseph Nourse” MSA SC 1394-1-7.]
----------------------
Partial biography of Joseph Nourse:
http://dumbartonhouse.org/joseph-nourse-1754-1841
Joseph Nourse (1754-1841)
America’s First Civil Servant
...
Born on July 16, 1754, in London, England, Joseph Nourse was the eldest son of James Nourse (1731-1784) and Sarah Fouace (1735-1784). In March 1769, the Nourse family — James, Sarah, their nine children, and two servants — left England on board the Liberty, bound for America. They arrived two months later in Hampton, Virginia and eventually established Piedmont, their family farm in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia).
During the American Revolution, Nourse served first as military secretary to General Charles Lee, and then by 1777 as deputy secretary of the Board of War. He returned briefly to the family farm, but in 1779 was back in Philadelphia where he continued his civil service as Assistant Auditor General for the Board of Treasury. One of his duties included authenticating Continental currency by affixing his signature to it. In 1781, the Confederation Congress elected Nourse Register of the Treasury, a position he held under the Articles of Confederation and then under the first six presidents of the United States.
...
===================================================================
letter by Lt-Col. George Johnston, aide de camp to General Washington, to Leven Powell
http://books.google.com/books?id=KFARAAAAIAAJ&q=%22The+ensuing+Saturday+Captain+Thruston%22
Tyler's quarterly historical and genealogical magazine, Volume 12
edited by Lyon Gardiner Tyler
Tyler's quarterly historical and genealogical magazine
Lyon Gardiner Tyler - 1931
p.114
...
Head Quarters, Morris Town, 17th March 1777.
St. Paddy's Day.
My Dear Friend: Since my last business has so multiplied upon
us from all quarters of the Continent, and of such various kinds, as
well Civil as Military, that I can truly say this is the first hour I
have had the least relaxation, which probably may be interrupted, &
will, most assuredly, if the Council of War now holding below stairs
is over before this is finished. I'll go on, however, til I am called.
The Enemy have made but very few excursions since Gen. Max-
well had his affair with 'em on the 23rd ult, altho' it appeared at first,
& for several days after to be but trifling, yet in fact it proved a com-
plete victory, and of importance, too, when the particulars were truly
understood.
The detachment from Rhode Island of 2000 had just arrived at
Amboy, & Gen. Howe had but a few days before come to Brunswick
from N. York and applied a temporary salve to the irreconcilable
animosities then, and still prevailing between the British & Hessian
Troops. They also understood that a considerable body of Militia had
just returned to their homes, and lastly that a very large number
were on their way to supply their places & were expected hourly.
Thus circumstanced, a general attack was mediated upon us, &
the Rhode Isl'd detachment, as being fatigued but little, were ordered
on to prepare the way. Much, very much, indeed, depended upon our
standing firm. All the baggage & other incumbrances were removed,
our horses were saddled and everything wore the face of battle.
Gen. Maxwell began the attack with less than 200 at 9 o'clock in the
morning, retreated fighting till re-inforced with all the Picket guard,
800; with these he forced them to retreat to Amboy at 5 o'clock.
Our loss, killed, 4; wounded, 15; no officers touched, or prisoners
lost; the Enemy's, in killed & wounded, but little short of 400, several
officers among them.
p.115 VIRGINIA TROOPS IN THE MIDDLE STATES
The ensuing Saturday Captain Thruston attacked two of their
Regiments in their intrenchment, threw them into confusion, and had
a complete victory snatched out of his hand by an unlucky, ill-timed
wound in the arm, and the cowardice of some of the Maryland Militia.
The Captain is in a fair way of recovery & will, the Surgeons think,
be able to take the field before the 1st May at the head of the Regi-
ment which his Excellency has honored him with. Angus McDonald
is his Lt. Col. & Cap. Thornton, late of the 3rd Regt., his Major, 'tis
one of the 16 additionals.
The corresponding accounts of all the deserters that have come
over within these five days leave but little doubt of the Enemy's de-
termined resolution to attempt Philadelphia so soon as the roads will
permit, for which purpose they have prepared and brought to Amboy
a bridge, ready made, and large enough to transport a grand division
abreast. This will bring us to blows. Within this fortnight we have
had 50 deserters. They come in by half dozens. The Small Pox is
breaking out among them in the natural way. The Hessians die of a
Yellow Fever which has not yet reached the British Troops.
All the Va. Regiments are recovered of the Small Pox by innocu-
lation, not a man lost. The other Regiments are now in for it. No
disorder of any kind prevails among us. Our men are in high spirits,
cheerfully waiting the beginning of approaching campaign.
Gen. Carleton has no inclination to molest us at Ticonderoga this
winter. Lord Percy is very peaceable in Rhode Island. In short, this
must be the theatre of war. Preparations are making for it accord-
ingly.
We expect the 1st Regiment every day, they halted at Phila-
delphia to pass through the Small Pox — the second will soon follow
them. We hear the 10th & 11th are on the road.
The Continental Regiments from every State are filling up and
innoculating. You ought to undergo this operation immediately.
The Gen. is perfectly recovered of his late indisposition. All our
family are well, pray how is mine? I wish you would put Betsy in
mind of my thread stockings, and Baldy of my chest at Mr. Smith's,
tavern keeper, in Fredericksburg. — Desire my Mother not to credit
any flying reports about me, should any accident happen, Ben has or-
ders to return to Va. instantly.
If Ras Gill will come here I will procure him a commission im-
mediately, or any other clever young gentleman. How goes on your
Regiment?
I want to see you and Billy much.
Remember me as usual and write me all the politics of Loudoun.
I am dear Sir,
Yours sincerely,
G. J. (George Johnston)
[note: for a short biography of George Johnston Jr. see
http://www.mountvernon.org/digital-encyclopedia/article/george-johnston/ ]
===================================================================
A British perspective of the skirmish at Piscataway, 1 March 1777:
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89058655457;view=1up;seq=153
Harry Miller Lydenberg, ed. Archibald Robertson, Lieutenant-General Royal Engineers: His Diaries and Sketches in America, 1762–1780. New York, 1930.
Diaries: Book Two, 1775-1777
P.124
...
[1777]
March 1st This day a Party of Rebels attacked the Piquet
of the 42d** at Piscatawa but were immediately drove back; the
42d had 3 wounded.
...
**The British 42nd (Highland) Regiment of Foot.
===================================================================================
===================================================================================
===================================================================================
LATER ACCOUNTS OF THE SKIRMISH AT PISCATAWAY, MARCH 1, 1777
AS MENTIONED IN PENSION DECLARATIONS, ETC.
Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants
http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/GetRev.pl?dir=0807/T0120&card=127 Document Images
Thruston, Charles.
Rank: Colonel.
Service: Army.
Place: Frederick County.
Date: 1833.
...
Affidavit: J. Chapline.
Affidavit: George Blackmore.
Affidavit: (2) John Smith.
Affidavit: John Sperry.
[See also http://revwarapps.org/x806.pdf - Pension Application of Charles Mynn Thruston]
Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants Page #15
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America, in Congress assembled.
The Petition of Buckner Thruston in behalf of himself and other Representatives of
Charles M Thruston respectfully represents. That for some years before and at the
commencement of the War of the Revolution, Your Petitioner's Father, the said Charles M
Thruston, was an officiating clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the County of
Frederick and State of Virginia: that in the earlier part of that contest, he was actively engaged in
zealous and patriotic exertions to provide arms and ammunition for the service of the Country
and in exciting the young men of his neighborhood to turn out in its defense: That in the
beginning of the year 1777, prompted by the same spirit, he laid aside his clerical gown, raised a
company of volunteers, and marched to join General Washington, who was personally known to
your Petitioner's Father from there having served together in the campaign of 1758 under
General Forbes: That shortly after arriving at Head Quarters, then in New Jersey, he prevailed on
the Commander in Chief, to give him the command of a detachment of about five hundred men
for the purpose of attacking a British Redoubt, defended by a superior force, near a place called
Quibble-Town or Piscataway in New Jersey, as evidence of his extraordinary ardor, he took with
him into the action, his little Son the younger Brother of your Petitioner of about 12 years of age,
as is proved by testimony herewith submitted: That your Petitioner's said Father had his left arm
badly fractured by a musket ball in the said action which so disabled him that he was obliged to
be taken from the field, in consequence of which, the troops retreated, or as your Petitioner
believes and recollects often to have heard, at that period, his said Father would have made an
effort to have carried the said Redoubt my storm.
Your Petitioner further states, that his said Brother behaved with great gallantry in the
said action, as was proved by many respectable witnesses, soldiers in the battle whose
depositions were taken by your Petitioner under a substitution from the District Judge of the
State of Virginia in order to have your Petitioner's Father placed on the pension roll, under the
Act of Congress of 1806, granting pensions to wounded officers and Soldiers in the
Revolutionary War: but unfortunately the said depositions and other papers and documents filed
there with in the pension Office were burnt in the war office, by the British in the year 1814.
Your Petitioner believes the same facts may be proved even now, by some few persons who may
be still living in whose testimony might be procured but with considerable trouble and expense:
he has however the good fortune to have preserved one testimonial which will in part establish
the foregoing statements which he accidentally obtained in the year 1819 for his own satisfaction
when it was impossible to have foreseen the use he now makes of it & which he begs leave to
present herewith.
Your Petitioner further states that immediately after his Father's wound was healed and
being still with the Army, he was appointed by General Washington a Colonel of a Virginia
Regiment on Continental Establishment: but as the Regiment could never be completed, your
Petitioner's Father was not afterwards called into active service, although your Petitioner has no
knowledge whatever that he ever resigned but has reason to believe that he continued in service
until the close of the War. Your Petitioner knows that his said Father's Arm was rendered stiff by
the wound during the residue of his life, the bone having been much fractured but has no doubt,
that had his services been required he would cheerfully have engaged in active service to the end
of the War.
Your Petitioner thinks it proper to State
that his said Father received as a Pensioner
The half-pay of Captain, the grade he held when
he received his wound, from 1807 to 1812
when he departed this life
Your Petitioner therefore prays that an act may pass
to grant to the Representatives of his said Father
the commutation of five years full pay,
pursuant to the resolutions of Congress of 3. Oct
1780_ 21. October 1780 and 21. March 1783, and
such other remuneration in land or money
as had been allowed to other Officers of the Army
of the Revolution in like cases, and your
Petitioner as in duty bound &c &c
[ Signed] B. Thruston
--------------------------------------------------------------
Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants Page #18
[Affidavit of James Chapline]
Copy
District of Columbia
I, James Chapline, of Jefferson County, State
of Ohio, do certify that in the last of February
or the first of March 1777 I was a Lieutenant
in a volunteer Company* and was in a battle
with the British under the command of
Captain Charles M. Thruston at a place called
Piscataway in New Jersey. That the said
Captain Thruston had with him about five
hundred men, that the British were in a redoubt
and were said to be fifteen hundred strong,
that in advancing to storm the said redoubt
the said Captain Thruston had his arm broken by a
musket ball which shattered the bone near the
shoulder, after which a retreat was ordered in
consequence of Captain Thruston's disability who was
obliged to be carried from the field: That in a
Council of Officers before the action, I well remember
the said Captain Thruston being the first
to propose that they should advance and storm the
said Redoubt, which proposition was opposed by
an officer of the detachment, a Captain Van
Swearingen of the Pennsylvania Line**, as desperate.
That about fourteen men of the Americans were
killed at the time of the Retreat and that it was
said a/bout/ forty of the enemy were killed in the
[next page]
said action -- I further declare that had not
the said Capt Thruston been wounded, it is my
opinion an attempt to storm the redoubt would
have been made. - I further declare a little
son of the said Capt Thruston was in the said
battle with his Father, apparently 12. or 13. years
Old. Given under my hand at Washington
This 10 . day of December 1819 /Signed/
James Chapline
…
*James was a lieutenant in the Maryland militia company of his brother Joseph Chapline:
Journal of the Maryland Convention July 26 to August 14, 1775
Journal and Correspondence of the Maryland Council of Safety, August 29, 1775 to July 6, 1776
Volume 11, Page 546
...
C. S. J. Thursday 4th July 1776.
Met according to Adjournment. Present the same members
as on yesterday.
Commissions issd to
Joseph Chapline appd Captain }
James Chapline 1 Lieutt }
Thomas Crampton 2 Lieutt }
James Steuard Ensign }
... of
Page 547
Companies of Militia belonging to the Upper District, of
Frederick County.
...
**Evidently this was “Indian Van” Swearingen, as he was called by George Michael Bedinger.
Frontier Advance on the Upper Ohio, 1778-1779
Louise Phelps Kellogg
The Society, 1916 - Ohio River Valley - 509 pages
p.360-361, Footnote 1
1 Van Swearingen, known in frontier parlance as "Indian Van" was a native
of Berkeley County VA. About 1774 he removed to the West, settling on the
Monongahela in what is now Fayette County, PA. At the outbreak of the
Revolution he raised an independent company of riflemen which on Aug 9,
1776 as attached to the Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment. …
[Note: George Michael Bedinger made reference to “Indian Van” Swearingen being
in the “Kittaning battalion”.]
Unless there were two Captain Swearingens in the 8th Pennsylvania, “Indian Van” was also known as “Charles Van”. On 18 August 1777, George Washington wrote a letter to Captain Charles Van Swearingen, referring to him as “Captain from the Eight pensylvania Regiment”.
See http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-10-02-0646
From George Washington to Captain Charles Van Swearingen, 18 August 1777
To Captain Charles Van Swearingen
Sir [Bucks County, Pa., 18 August 1777]
It being represented, that Several of the Men in a Detachment under your command, as
Captain from the Eight pensylvania Regiment, which composes part of the Corps
commanded by Colo. Daniel Morgan, made up of Detachments from several Regiments, …
…
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Swearingen commanded an independent company of Pennsylvania state
troops defending the frontier in Westmoreland County, Pa., from February to August
1776, when he was commissioned a captain in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment.
Swearingen and some of the men in his company at this time were serving with the
corps of riflemen attached to Col. Daniel Morgan’s regiment. He is said to have been
wounded and taken prisoner at Stillwater, N.Y., during a British-Indian attack on
Morgan’s camp in September 1777. Swearingen resigned from the service in August
1779 and settled in Washington County, Pa., where he owned a handful of slaves
and became the county’s first sheriff two years later.
-------------
According to the 1847 pension application of his widow, Van Swearingen died in 1793.
[ See http://www.revwarapps.org/w5415.pdf ]
Note, however, that on page 557 of his book Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army During the War of the Revolution, April, 1775, to December, 1783 (1914), Francis B. Heitman listed Charles Van Swearingen as being in the Maryland militia (at least by 1779):
Van Swearingen, Charles (Md.). Ma-
jor Maryland Militia, 1779-1781. (Died
1818.)
Clearly this Charles Van Swearingen who died in 1818 must be a different individual.
In addition to the Capt. Van Swearingen of the 8th Pennsylvania regiment, there was a Capt. Van Swearingen in the 33d Battalion of the Maryland militia under the command of Col. Charles Beatty. [See https://books.google.com/books?id=ziRbtlUkBh0C&pg=PA557&lpg=PA557&dq=%22Van+Swearingen%22+%22Major%22+%22maryland+militia%22
RETURN OF 33d BATTALION MARYLAND MILITIA.
----------
Baskg. Ridge East New Jersey 3d. March 1777.
A Return of Officers & privates of part of the 33d. Battalion of
Maryland Militia, not yet discharged under the command of
Colonel Charles Beatty.
Charles Beatty, Colonel
Wm. Beatty, Lieut. Colonel
Wm. Radford, Adjut.
Wm. Ritchie, Q. Master
1st. Capt. Swearingen's Co.
Van Swearingen Capt.
…
2nd. Capt. Hillearys Copy.
Ralph Hilleary, Capt.
…
3d. Capt. Yost's Compy.
John Hd. Yost, Capt.
...
4th Capt. Stull's Co.
Christr. Stull, Capt.
… ]
The fairly detailed pension application of John Kercheval made mention of Thruston’s volunteers being joined by a regiment of Maryland militia commanded by Col. Beatty.
Also, John Smith had served in the company of Capt. Ralph Hilleary in early 1777. In his pension application, Smith described marching in January 1777 from Frederick Town, Maryland to Basking Ridge. Unfortunately he soon after came down with smallpox and was hospitalized. Hence his application provides no clue as to whether or not Capt. Hilleary’s company was present at Piscataway:
http://www.revwarapps.org/s6117.pdf
Pension Application of John Smith S6117
State of Virginia }
Harrison County } To Wit
On this 25th day of August 1832 personally appeared John Smith now a resident of the
same County aged Seventy two years in Open Court ...
That in the year 1776 he was enrolled in the Company of Capt. Ralph Hillery who
commanded a Company of militia in the said County of Frederick in the State of Maryland and
was drafted for a two months tour and marched under the command of the said Capt Ralph
Hillery in the Jany of 1777 from Fredericktown in Maryland to Gen'l Washington's head
Quarters in the State of New Jersey[.] Col. Wm Batty [sic: William Beatty] commanded the
Regiment to which he was attached and Maj Johnson was the Maj'r. of said Regiment[.] They
marched by the was of Tawney Town [sic: Taneytown], Peter Littles Town, McAllisters Town,
Little York Pa, Philadelphia where they staid 16 days and from thence up the Delaware River to Trenton New Jersey and from thence to head Quarters at Bascon's Ridge [sic: Basking Ridge] in
said last mentioned state[.] a short time afterwards this applicant was attacked with the small pox
and was removed to the Hospital where he stayed as well as he now recollects about four or five
weeks and having been left there among the sick did not reach home until sometime in the
month of April of the same year —...
So then. Could James Chapline have meant Capt. Van Swearingen of the Maryland militia rather than Capt. Van Swearingen of the 8th Pennsylvania regiment???
It seems more likely that Capt. Van Swearingen of Beatty’s regiment of Maryland would have been present at the skirmish at Piscataway. Alternatively, perhaps Capt. Van Swearingen of the 8th Pennsylvania regiment, although probably not present at the skirmish, had been present when Thruston proposed the assault on the British redoubt to General Washington, and it may have been then and there that he called Thruston’s proposal “desperate”.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants Page #20
/affidavit of Geo. Blackmore/
I hereby certify that I lived about one mile from
Parson Thruston at the beginning of the Revolutionary
War. I think it was in the year 1776 that he raised
a volunteer Company in his neighborhood chiefly of
young men of the first families and standing in the
County, after which he set out for New Jersey
and having understood that there was a strong Hessian
Picket between Basking Ridge and Amboy he and
his company pushed on to the place and found
the enemy well fortified. He made a sudden
and vigorous attack on the enemy which lasted
for a considerable time. The Parson received a
musket ball in his arm which shivered & Broke
it ( This information I heard from Mr William
Boothe , who belonged to his company and received
a wound in his knee from a musket ball.
Mr Boothe was a near neighbor of mine , a young
man of the first family and Standing in our
County ) I am sorry it is not in my power
to answer the interogatories that are
necessary and wanting on this occasion. My
having been a prisoner of war and confined to the
service prevented me from knowing as much
as I should know have done had I been at home. I
can only say with propriety that Parson Thruston
was a consummate Officer a brave and zealous
Patriot and one that would obey the calls of his
Country at a moments warning , altho as a
clergyman he was not bound to do so. Bravery
and patriotism appeared to be interwoven in
his constitution. As Statement that
Genl. John Smith would make on this
subject ought to be acepted[?] as his memory
is similar to a record. I was a few weeks
ago conversing with him on Revolutionary
subjects and was struck with astonishment to find
that his memory was so strong at his period of life.
/signed/ Geo: Blackmore .
Frederick County, to wit: This day George Blackmore
personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace
in the County of Frederick and state of Virginia and
made oath that the Allegations above stated by
himself and from other persons of credibility are
just to the best of his knowledge &c - Given under
my hand this 15. Day of February 1833. =signed= James
Wigginton = It with pleasure I state that I am
personally acquainted with Capt. Geo: Blackmore and
That he is a Gentleman of high Character, in whose
statements every confidence may be placed.
/signed/ Robert Allen
(Member of Congress)
preshinglen[??] 21. Feby. 1833
--------------------------------------------------------------
Note: In the online digital version of Gen. John Smith’s affidavit, the right half of the middle page is missing. Fortunately, some of its context can be inferred from information in other affidavits. One incomplete sentence of interest says “... next in Command.” Just who was Thruston’s next in command? It may have been an officer from another unit.
Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants Page #22
[Affidavit of Genl. John Smith ]
Frederick County, Virginia. Lct[?]
General John Smith appeared before me a
Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid
and made Oath to the truth of the following
Statement -- to Wit -- That at the commencement
of the Revolutionary War, the late Col. Charles
M. Thruston was an Episcopalian Minister and
the Incumbent of Frederick Parish in Virginia. That
[next page - the right half is missing]
He was an ardent a-
and soon after the War
resigned his gown and
the year 1777 he raised
Frederick County Virginia
in New Jersey under General
was then much straite-
in consequence of the
being for short periods.
Army General Washington
the command of several
he made a very bold a-
storm a British Redoubt
Piscataway or Quibble Town
it was believed he would
had he not been arrested
ball , which fractured
Which he was obliged
feild upon which a
next in Command .
Brother who was a Lieutenant[?]
Company at the time .
with him into the battle
about twelve years of age
have behaved very gallantly
has reason to believe
Was disabled in his
[remaining pages of affidavit are missing]
…
Note: Compare Gen. John Smith’s affidavit mentioning “next in Command” with the pension declaration of Benjamin Beckwith in which he mentions a man named Montgomery taking command.
http://www.ohgen.net/ohmorgan/pensions.htm
Benjamin Beckwith
...
While stationed here the British threw up redoubts at the Short hills which opened into a fertile country leading to New York. We attempted to dislodge them in the battle that ensued our regiment in the beginning was commanded by a Virginian formerly and old church preacher by the title & name of Colonel [?] Threwston This Col Threwston had his arm broke at the beginning of the battle when a man took the command by the name of Montgomery. This was the first day of March AD 1777.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants Page #25
[affidavit of John Sperry]
State of Virginia , Frederick County, towit:
This fifteenth day of January in the year eighteen
hundred and thirty three John Sperry a resident
of the County and State aforesaid aged seventy six
Years personally appeared before me a Justice of
the Peace in the County aforesaid and being first duly
sworn according to Law made oath - that either
in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six
or seventy seven, this affiant cannot positively
state which, he was a private in a volunteer
Company raised by the late Col. Charles M. Thruston
in the County aforesaid that the said Thruston
With his Company [joined?] the Army under
General Washington in New Jersey : that soon after
joining the army, Colonel Thruston with a force
composed of several companies , with the command
of which he was entrusted by General Washington
attacked a British Redoubt at or near a place
called Piscataway or Quibble Town. Colonel
Thruston was leading the attack and was near
the enemy when he received a wound
in one of his arms. This Affiant
Was near Colonel Thruston when he received the
wound thought he was fainting from
pain and the loss of blood, when two of the
Soldiers** carried him from the field. This
Affiant thinks that the Company served about
Three months. He also thinks that Colonel
Thruston took with him into battle, his
Son, then a mere boy Given under my
hand and seal this day and year first
above written =/Signed Ch: H. Clark. (L.S.)
Virginia - Frederick County. …
**John Grim and James Gunn. See below the pension declaration of John Grim.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of John Grim (Thruston’s Company)
[Note: In addition to the skirmish at Piscataway on March 1, 1777, this pension declaration also mentions an earlier skirmish near Quibbletown between a British foraging party and a scouting party of Americans which included about twenty men of Thruston’s company. (Similarly, Jacob Anderson mentioned being in two skirmishes in his pension declaration.)]
Series: M805 Roll: 379 Image: 499 File: S8628
GRIM, JOHN
Page: 3 of 6
State of Virginia
Frederick County to wit
On the fifth day of February 1833 : personally appeared
in open court before the Court of Frederick County, now
sitting, John Grim a resident of the borough of Win=
=chester , in the County of Frederick and state of
Virginia , aged seventy nine years , three months ,
and upwards , who being first duly sworn according
to law, doth on his oath make the following declara=
=tion , in order to obtain benefit of the Act of Con=
=gress passed June 7th 1832
...
He was born on the 15th day of October 1753 , in the
town of York , and Colony of Pennsylvania , a record of
which is contained in an old dutch bible which once be=
=longed to his father , and now is in his own possession.
He Entered into the Service of the United States un=
=der the following named officers , and served as herein
stated.
In December 1776 he volunteered, in Winchester Fred
=erick County, Virginia , with Captain Charles Minn
Thruston (who he thinks had a commission from the State
of Virginia , but he does not know whether in the State
line or Militia ) for a tour of three months. He mar=
=ched , with Captain Thruston through Frederick-town,
Lancaster , York , and Philadelphia , to Morristown in the
Jerseys , where General Washington there had his head quarters.
They arrived there, he thinks in January 1777 ; and the
next day they were marched to a place called Basking-
ridge about fifteen miles from Morristown where
General Sterling was stationed, and they remained under
the command of this officer during the winter. General
Scott was at a place a little lower down. During this
winter he was in two scirmishes with the Brittish. The
first took place near Quibble town, between a scouting
party of Americans , including about twenty of Cap.
Thruston's company , and a foraging party of the Brittish,
Page: 4 of 6
and one of our seargeants was wounded in it. The second
scirmish in which he was engaged was near a place or
creek called Piscataway not far from Brunswick where
the Brittish had their head quarters. In this affair Cap.
Thruston and all the Company were engaged. Captain
Thruston was shot through the arm and the bone shat
=tered: Your petitioner carried him off the feild, and
with the assistance of James Gunn** a light-horse man,
put him into a sleigh by which he was conveyed to the
hospital, about eight miles off. This affair he thinks
was on the 3d[sic-1st] of March, & the snow was quite deep.
He served through this tour of three months under Cap=
=tain Thruston , and was regularly discharged with the
rest, but one discharge was given to a whole mess togeth=
=er , and he does not know what became of it. He has
no doubt it has been lost or destroyed long ago.
...
**There was a James Gunn who in the 1st Regiment of Light Dragoons (also known as Bland's Horse).
According to Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution by John Gwathmey, p.333:
Gunn, James, Sgt. 1st Continental Dragoons Jan. 1777 to Feb. 1779; Lieut. Feb. 1779; Captain --; retired Nov. 9, 1782; died July 30, 1801. Awarded 5,383 acres. Elizabeth City pet.
(FYI: Richard Call, a captain in Bland’s Cavalry, was mentioned in the pension declarations of .John Kirkland and John Kercheval.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of Matthias Shultz (Thruston’s Company)
http://files.usgwarchives.net/ky/ohio/military/revwarpen/s4320001.txt
Matthias Shultz/Shults/Shutts
REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION APPLICATION - Matthias SHULTZ, Ohio Co, KY
At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, he joined a company of Minute-men,
organized by the Rev. Charles M. Thruston, who served as Captain, and Philip
Bush as Lieutenant. Matthias pension application was taken from a deposition
prepared in Ohio County, Kentucky, Jan. 7, 1833, under an act of Congress
passed June 7, 1832. Matthias Shultz states that he was called into service in
December of 1776. He joined his company as a substitute for his brother-in-law,
Casper Rinker, who had only recently married his sister, Mary Shultz.
His company left Winchester immediately after he joined it and Matthias states
that they marched through Fredericktown and Lancaster to Philadelphia and up the
Delaware River until they arrived at a location opposite Trenton, arriving just
after the British defeat there on December 25, 1776. The company then crossed
the river and joined the main American army, where it remained for five days,
after which it joined Lord Sterling's Brigade, which was stationed at some
distance from Morristown on the estate of William Alexander, Earl of Sterling.
Matthias remained there during the winter, being frequently called out on
scouting sorties to intercept British foraging parties. On one of these forays
his detachment marched down to the British encampment and attacked the enemy by
surprise. The attacking force was greatly outnumbered and, when the British
counterattacked, the Americans beat a hasty retreat, several of their men having
been wounded, including Capt. Thruston. Since his enlistment was for only
three months, he was discharged in March 1777, and returned home…
...
He remained there during the winter being frequently called out on scouting parties to intercept the British foraging parties.** On one occasion he marched with a party down to the British encampments, when a party was sent to fire on the Sentinels of the enemy - when they beat to arms, and a smart skirmish ensued when the Americans retired - Capt. Thruston was wounded in his arm - and it was said that one was killed, and saveral others, that he saw, were wounded. That he remained until the last of March when his term of service expired, when he was discharged and returned to Frederick, where he resided. He received a written paper, which was said to be a discharge, but he could not read writing, and does not know by whom signed, which he has long since lost. He does not recollect the day of the month when discharged, but the tour was for three months, and he served out the full time, untill the officers voluntarily discharged him with the balance of the company - when Capt. Thruston did not join after he was wounded, in the skirmish as before stated.
**See the pension declaration of John Grim for another mention of scouting parties.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of Jacob Sperry (Thruston’s Company)
Series: M805 Roll: 762 Image: 110 File: W2187/BLWT26144-160-55
Page: 7 of 12
SPERRY, JACOB
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
State of Virginia
Frederick County
On this 4th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court
before the Court of Frederick County now sitting, Jacob Sperry a resident of
the said County of Frederick and State of Virginia aged about Seventy
eight years, who first being duly sworn according to Law doth on
his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the act of Congreses passed June 7, 1832 that he entered the
Service of the United States in the militia under the following named
officers viz: Captain Charles Mynn Thruston and Lieutenant Edward
Smith in the month of December 1776. that he marched with the said
Company from Winchester through Fredericktown Maryland, York
and Lancaster and Reading in Pennsylvania to Trenton where
they arrived soon after the Hessians were taken at that place, after
which they joined Lord Sterling with whom he remained marching
about to Morristown and other places in New Jersey until he was
discharged after having served three months. ...
Page: 8 of 12
...
the said Jacob Sperry declares
1. That he was born in Frederick County about the year 1754
2. That he has no record of his age that it was record in his father's
bible but he does not know where it is
3. That he was living in Winchester when he was called into service
and has lived there and in Frederick County ever since, and now lives
in Frederick County Virginia.
4. That he was a volunteer the first tour, a substitute for a man named
Gilkerson the second tour, and he was drafted the third.
5. That he cannot state the names of any of the regular officers who were
with the troops where he served excepting Lord Sterling.
6. That he did receive discharges, but they are lost. He dont recollect by
whom they were given.
7. John B. Tilden esq of Newton Stephensburg, Samuel Kercheval of the
same place, Major Isaac Hite and Peter Sperry near Middleton in
Frederick County and others that he could name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of John Sperry (Thruston’s Company)
[Note: The John Sperry pension declaration below was made by his administrator Peter G. Sperry on 20 March 1854 and incorrectly states that John Sperry fought at the Battle of Princeton on 3 Jan 1777.]
Series: M805 Roll: 762 Image: 136 File: R9992
SPERRY, JOHN
Page 1
… Then said Peter G. Sperry … That
John Sperry served as a private soldier in
a Company commanded by Captain
Charles M. Thruston
in war of the Revolution.
That said Captain Charles M Thruston
joined the Army under the command
of General George Washington at or near
Princeton, and that said John Sperry
was in the Battle of Princeton as a soldier [sic]
and was in various other battles, and par=
ticularly the Battle of Brandywine. ...
...
Page 2
... John Sperry was Born on the 10th day of November 1757
and on the 29 September 1779 married to one
Sarah Maria Orrbetter …
...
Page 3
and the said John Sperry died on the 14 day of
November 1842 in Winchester Frederick County
in the State of Virginia. …
[See also the above Thruston file for John Sperry’s affidavit.]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of John Kercheval (Thruston’s Company)
John Kercheval
State of Kentucky, County of Mason
25 February 1884
John died 1 Oct 1839
p.1 of his pension declaration
...
That he entered the Service of the United States in the month
of December 1776 in a Company of Volunteers raised by Captn. Charles M.
Thruston Philip Bush 1st Lieutenant Edward Smith 2d. Lieutenant and
John Gilkeson Ensign that he marched with said Company about the 21st
of said month and that he definitely recollects they arrived at Frederick Town [MD]
on Christmas day about 12 Oclock 1776 that they crossed Potomack at Har
pers Ferry . that they proceed[ed] on the Road from Frederick Town by Martins
Town, York Town & crossed the Susquehanna River on the Ice at Andersons
ferry Staid all night in Lancaster passed thro the City of Philadelphia
and halted at a Village called Frankfort a few miles beyond the City
then on by Bristol. Crossed the delarway River to Trenton, Prince Town
and arrived at Morris Town about the 10th [or 15th] January then the head quar
ters of General Washington and three or four days marched to Baskin
Ridge where we were Stationed under the command of Genl. Lord Sterling
there was also at that place a Company of Light Horse commanded by
Capt. Caul of [Theodorick] Blands Regiment Virginia Cavalry [presumably Capt. Richard Call of the 1st Regiment Light Dragoons (1777-1783)] and a Company of
Rifle men belong[ing] to the Regiment command by Colo. & Leut. Colo.
M'Coy and Wilson [8th PA regiment-Aneas Mackay, George Wilson] called the Catannian[Kittanning] Regt of Rifle Men and towards
the latter part of February
p.2
Capn. Thrustons Company of volunteers, Capn. Cauls troop of Horse
and the Rifle men Marched to a small Village called Quibble Town in
the direction of Brunswick where a part of the British Army was Stationed and
the next morning our Party was Joined by a Regiment of Mary land Me
litia commanded by Colo. Beatty from or near Frederick Town
we marched until about one Oclock when we met a detachment
of British Infantry and Horse men a sharp action ensued in which
Capn. Thruston was wounded and six of his Company was Killed and
wounded together with several of the Rifle men and Melitia
the Battle continued until Capn. Caul discovered a much larger Number
of the British approaching and having dis mounted some of his Horse
men and mounting the wounded we retreated and returned back to Quibble
Town from where we had marched that morning, the same day we returned
to Lord Sterlings Quarters and was discharged in May following having been
about Six months, Capn. Thruston being appointed a Colo. he further states that he
intended to Join the Regiment under Thruston when ever he was able
to take the feild. the Colo. However did not return until the Summer and
was not then entire Recovered of his wound . ...
...
p.6
... nor was he as he believes ever enrolled ex
cept in Cap. Thrustons Company of Volunteers and received a discharge
signed by 2 Leutenant Smith who was the senior Officer of the
Company at the date of the discharge of the Company the Cap having
at some distance from the place and under the Care of Surgeon and
1st Leutenant Bush had been Sent home as a purchasing Com
missary for the Army ...
…
P.7
…
… he further states that
He does not at this time Know that one person is Living who was
Soldier in Capn. Thrustons Compy. he Knowing that many died before he left
Virginia there was three three other Boys in the company to Wit Charley
Thruston son of the Capn. Henry Bush son of the Lieutenant
Bush. William McGuin[?] and himself all boys and nearly of an age
And that he has heard and believes all are dead but himself.
p.8
... In what year were you Born. Anser
The record of my age shews that I was born the 12
Sept. 1762 and I always understood and believe in the
County of Spottsylvania Virginia.
...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Deaderick
In the campaign of New Jersey in 1777, he was Orderly Sergeant
under the command of Captain Charles Mynn Thurston, under
General Sterling.
See his widow Margaret's pension:
...that she
has frequently heard her deceased husband speak
of having served in the Revolutionary War at
one time as a volunteer soon after the Battles of
Trenton & Princeton when he marched with his
company through those towns to Morristown;
The Capatin of the Company he was in being
Captain Thruston previously an Episcopal
preacher. She understood from him that hi------
more than one pereod; & at one time as
a pay master; She then resided in Winchester
Frederick County Virginia; She had heard him
speak of his company attacking a fort [skir-]
mishing with the enemy but cannot state when or where.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.southerncampaign.org/pen/s15649.pdf
Pension Application of Charles Smith S15649
Virginia Jackson County to wit
On this 28th day of January 1833 personally appeared in open court before the justices of the County of Jackson now in session Charles Smith a resident of said County of Jackson and State of Virginia ages sixty nine years and eight months, who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress pass'd 7th June 1832
Declarant states that he entered the services of the united states under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That in the month of December in the year 1777[sic-1776] as well as declarant recollects and in Battletown [now Berryville, Clarke Co.] in the County of Frederick [2 mi NE of Berryville now in Clarke County] and State of Virginia he volunteered as a private under the command of Capt. Trueston [sic: Charles Thruston] but declarant does not recollect the names of the subalterns he states that they marched from Battletown in the county of Frederick in the state of Virginia to Winchester Va thence to Frederick town in the state of Maryland thence to Lancaster in the state of Pennsylvania leaving Philadelphia to the right owing to the small pox being there**, thence to the neighborhood of Morristown in the state of New Jersey and were there incorporated into a regiment but does not recollect the names of the field officers. declarant states that he was engaged in guarding the garrison and fought in the battle against the British at Morristown aforesaid [probably Battle of Punk Hill near Amboy NJ, 8 Mar 1777 [sic-no]] and was discharged at the latter end of March and returned home after having served six[sic-three] months as a private soldier. ...
**note:
http://www.consource.org/index.asp?bid=582&fid=600&documentid=53925
George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates (February 5, 1777)
... I am much at a loss what Step to take to prevent the spreading of the smallpox; should We innoculate generally, the Enemy, knowing it, will certainly take Advantage of our Situation; ’Till some good Mode can be adopted, I know of no better than to alter the Route of the Troops marching from the South; You will therefore command all such to pass by the way of Newtown, and not to touch at Philada under the most certain and severe Penalty ...
[Newtown is north of Philadelphia (on the same side of the Delaware River and west of Trenton, NJ.]
...
1 He was born in the County of Frederick in the State of Virginia on the 2nd day of June 1763.
...
[another narrative given by Smith on 30 Sept 1834:]
In the fall of 1777[sic-1776] I volunteered for six months under Capt Charles M. Thousten at Battletown [now Berryville, Clarke Co.] where we rendezvoused and in a few days marched to Morristown in N. Jersey. There we had an engagement in which Capt. Thousten was wounded [see note below]. Shortly after Capt. Thouston was appointed a Colonel. Our leutenant I have forgotten his name was commissioned as a Captain. We remained in the neighborhood of Morrisstown until our term of service (six months)[sic-three months] expired. We were then discharged & returned home. ...
...
[yet another narrative given by Smith on 14 Jan 1836:]
... Concerning his age he further saith that Captain Trustons company consisted of several young men of his own age, they he say, was another inducement for him to volunteer his services. He says that Capt. Truston marched his company of volunteers to Morristown where he told General Washington that he had come to fight the British Army, and that Washington received them and they faught in the Battle in which Capt Truston received a wound which broke his arm. ...
...
[The transcriber's notes below themselves contain some errors:]
NOTES:
...
Smith evidently confused Capt. Charles Thruston with Col. Charles M. Thruston. Charles Mynn Thurston, the "fighting parson," was appointed Colonel on 15 Jan 1777 [no, in Mar 1777], lost an arm [no, the bone was broken but it healed although remained stiff] at the Battle of Punk Hull [no, at Piscataway on 1 Mar 1777], and then left service [no until he gave up trying to recruit for his regiment].]
[Capt. Thruston and Col. Thruston were indeed the same individual.]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of Jacob Anderson (Thruston’s company)
[Note: Like John Grim, Jacob Anderson mentioned being in two skirmishes, one at Piscataway and one at Quibble Town.]
VIRGINIA MILITIA IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
by J. T. McAllister
Section No. 142
ANDERSON, JACOB.— Montgomery, Sept. 3, 1832. Born
July 3, 1758. Volunteered in Frederick under Capt. Charles
Thurston and marched into New Jersey to join Lord Sterling. Was
in skirmishes at Piscataway and Quibbletown, and discharged in
April. 1777. Then drafted for three months under Capt. Helms,
of Gen. Potter's brigade. Discharged at Chestnut Ridge near
Philadelphia. In fall of 1778 enlisted under Capt. Gilkeson for
one year to guard the prisoners at Frederick, Col. Smith being in
command there. Joined a troop of horse in Baltimore, and march-
ed to Philadelphia, where he was discharged. Drafted for eighteen
months in 1781, and hired a substitute, but declarant had to give
his obligation to Col. Darke to fill the place if it came to his
term, but he did not go into service again.
actual text from pension declaration:
... That he volunteered in the revolutionary war
under Capt. Charles Thurston for six months , in the county
of Frederick in Virginia, and marched to Philadelphia &
from there to Trenton on the Delaware river, and from there
to Lord Stirlings Building on Bareshaw ridge. there I was
stationed, and while there I had two battles or skirmishes,
one at Piscataway swamps, and the other at a little town called
Quibble Town in the the state of New Jersey and there dis-
charged in April at Lord Stirlings Building in the year
1777. ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of Henry Ranson
http://www.southerncampaign.org/pen/s23382.pdf
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters
Pension application of Henry Ranson S23382
fn18NC
Transcribed by Will Graves
12/14/09
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for
ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original
scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the
original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually
wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. Folks are free to make
non-commercial use this transcript in any manner they may see fit, but please extend the courtesy
of acknowledging the transcriber—besides, if it turns out the transcript contains mistakes, the
resulting embarrassment will fall on the transcriber.]
State of New York Rockland County
On this 28th day of November in the year A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court,
before the Judges of the court of Common Please [sic] now sitting, Henry Ranson, a resident of
the town of Haverstraw in the County of Rockland and State of New York, aged seventy-six
years the fifth day of July, 1832, 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 the service of the United States under the following named officers,
and served as herein stated. That early in the spring of the year 1776, in New Bern, North
Carolina, where he then resided, he enlisted for three months in a company of Artillery
commanded by Captain Vance [could be Nance] in Colonel Caswell's Regiment, and marched to
Wilmington on Cape Fair River [sic, Cape Fear River], against Sir Henry Clinton, marched from
thence to New Bern and was there discharged, the time of service being expired, from there went
to Edenton and there enlisted under Captain Bayley, as a guard to the Power waggons, and
guarded them to Wilmington which engagement lasted one month, from there went to New
Virginia, Winchester town, there joined a volunteer corps under Captain Thurston in the month
of December, and marched to Philadelphia to assist General Washington marched from
Philadelphia to Morristown, quartered at Lord Sterling's from there marched to Quebletown
[Quibbletown] , near New Brunswick, there attacked the British, had an engagement for 2 hours,
from there returned to our quarters at Lord Sterlings, and was there discharged on the 17th of
March, 1777, from there went to White Plains and there enlisted under Captain John Thomas, the
Colonel who commanded the Regiment not now recollected but believe his name was also
Thomas, and after Captain Thomas resigned then Captain Townson [Townsend?] took the
command, and after he was appointed pay master at Fort Mongomery [sic, Fort Montgomery]
then Captain Woodward took the command, then marched to Courtland Manner, or Phillips then
-- transferred to Captain Brown's company was in Captain Brown's company until November,
under Colonel Hammon, then transferred to Captain Levingsworth Company of Continental
troops, to take prisoners to Hedford [?] went to Litchfield, and was there discharged some time in
November, then enlisted in the same month at Bedford under Captain Mills for 6 months, the
Colonel's name not now recollected, staid that time as guards at Bedford, then he went to New
London and entered on board the General Putnam, a 20 gun ship, under the command of Captain
Thomas Allen, for 6 months Cruise in the spring of the year 1778, and during said Cruise took a
16 Gun Brig, and four sail out of a fleet bound to Newfoundland with provision and cloathin, and
afterwards another Brig bound to Quebeck [sic, Québec], returned to the court of New London,
and was there discharged when the term was expired, and I then returned to Bedford in ...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension application of the widow of William Hickman (Thruston’s company)
http://www.revwarapps.org/r4953.pdf
Pension application of William Hickman R4953 Rebecca B. Hickman
...
State of Virginia Jefferson County: SS
On this 16th day of September in the year 1839, personally appeared in Open Court,
before the Justices of the County Court of Jefferson, Rebecca B Hickman a resident of
Shepherdstown in the said County of Jefferson, aged 68 years, who being first duly sworn
according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay
and pensions to certain widows" –
That she is the widow of William Hickman, who was aide-de-camp to Lord Sterling
[William Alexander, Lord Stirling] in the War of the Revolution, she is informed and believes
that he volunteered under Colonel Charles M Thurston in the County of Frederick in the State of
Virginia about the first of January 1777. That soon after he joined the Army, he was appointed
aide-de-camp to Lord Sterling, and served in that capacity more than six months. She further
declares that she was married to the said William Hickman on the thirtieth day of January in the
year 1787. That her husband the aforesaid William Hickman died on the thirty first day of
January 1827. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage
took place previous to the first of January 1794: Viz. at the time above stated. –
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written in open Court, before the
Justices aforesaid.
S/ Rebecca B Hickman
===================================================================================
Pension declaration of John Kirkland (Call’s Company of Bland’s Cavalry)
[Note: John Kirkland served in Capt. Call’s Company of Theodorick Bland’s Virginia Cavalry, which was mentioned in John Kercheval’s pension declaration.]
http://revwarapps.org/s13634.pdf
Pension Application of John Kirkland S13634
...
State of Kentucky }
Mercer County viz }
On this 4th day of February 1833 personally appeard in open court before
the justices of the Mercer County court now sitting John Kirkland senr,
79 years of age a resident citizen of s’d county and state who being first sworn according to law makes
oath to the following declaration for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of Congress passed
the 7th day of of June 1832 viz I John Kirkland now seventy nine years of age a resident Citizen in the
county of Mercer and State of Kentucky, do hereby declare that I entered the service of my country
during the revolutionary war at the time and under the officers hereafter named In the spring of the year
1776 according to my recollection I enlisted in Capt Theodoric Blands company of of Light Dragoons for
two years and a half at Petersburgh in the state of Virginia and we first marched to Williamsbugh [sic:
Williamsburg] where we were stationed and were employd with Capt Dandridges [Alexander
Spotswood Dandridge’s] company in collecting provisions and on occasional excursions in the
neighborhood as a guard, and late in the fall we were marchd to the North and met the Prisoners taken by
Genl Washington at Princeton [3 Jan 1777] between Philadelphia and Trenton – and at Trenton we Halted
some time and thence joined Lord Sterling [sic: William Alexander, Lord Stirling] at Basking ridge and
Morristown, and soon after Capt Bland was promoted to be a Major and then Colonel of our Corps, and
then Captn Richd Call was my captain the whole time as well as I now can recollect, and when the
Brittish returnd from New Brunswick in Jersey, we took possession of the place and I was also in
Elizabeth town and at Newark and had several skirmishes with small parties of the enemy, and when the
Brittish sailed round for the Delaware, we returned and were stationed at different places above
Philadelphia and when the British advanced on that place my Regiment with the main army met them at
Brandywine where we had a severe battle, which lasted until near night, and as well as I now recollect ...
===================================================================================
Captain Wlliam Morgan’s Company
Background on Captain William Morgan’s company:
http://books.google.com/books?id=hJwtAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA176
Historic Shepherdstown by Danske Dandridge (1910)
p.176
CHAPTER XV
Captain William Morgan And His Company Of
Volunteers—Colonel Van Swearingen, The
County Lieutenant
LATE in the fall of 1776 Captain William Morgan, eldest son of Richard Morgan, who then lived on what was long known as the Tanner farm, near town, raised a company of volunteers and marched with them to join the forces under General Washington, who was then at Morristown. We have been able to collect the names of a few of the men who formed this company, the term of whose enlistment was three months.
Captain, William Morgan.
First Lieutenant, William Lucas.
Second Lieutenant, Edward Lucas.
Third Lieutenant, George Michael Bedinger.
Fourth Lieutenant, Cato Moore.
John Kearsley, Thomas Turner, George Morgan, Philip Robb, Peter Staley, George Reynolds, George Shaner, John Randall, and others.
George Michael Bedinger has written a short account of this "tour of duty," as it was called. He says: "When Captain William Morgan's Company got to Philadelphia, which I think was about the first of January, 1777, I found my brother Daniel (in a hospital) with a few others of those soldiers who had been taken with him at Fort Washington, all of them sick, and so much reduced that I think few of them ever got well. I took him a few miles out of the city to a Quaker's house, and left him there until
p.177
he should be able to be hauled home. Our Company had voluntarily entered the service for three months. * * * In that three months we were stationed near the enemy's quarters, and kept them from pillaging and foraging, as far as we were able. In New Jersey, in the winter of 77, early in March, we had a sharp tho' short conflict with the enemy, which was called the Battle of Piscataway, under the command of Colonel Charles Winston [sic-Thruston], where we were overpowered by a vastly superior number."
In another place he says: "We marched from Shepherdstown, where I entered said service, by Philadelphia, crossed the Delaware at Trenton, and joined the army under General Washington near Morristown. Our Company joined the Corps commanded by General Charles M. Thurston of Frederick County, Va.
"We were that winter stationed at different places to guard against encroachments, and plundering parties of the British by opposing them whenever called on. Early in March, perhaps the first day, we fought the Battle of Piscataway, served out our full time of three months when, at the request of General Washington to stay three days longer, the Company, who were under my command, the other officers being absent, or not present, I had them called together and stated to them the request of the Commander-in-chief, and necessity and propriety of their complying, when the whole Company, with the exception of three or four, agreed to stay, and did stay, and was honorably discharged, and allowed a tour of duty of three months and three days (the three or four excepted)."
…
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This source indicates that Michael Engle of William Morgan’s company was captured in a skirmish at Piscataway.
Harkey, Joseph H. Captain William Morgan's Berkeley County, Virginia Militia Company, West Virginia History, Charleston, West Virginia, Vol. 38 (1977-78). Arc 1. 4: 38.
P.42
...
II
The military history of the group as a unit is brief. In early
1777 they marched to New Jersey and joined Washington near
Brunswick. Their biggest engagement was a skirmish at Piscataway,
during which Michael Engle was taken prisoner, and perhaps others
as well. Their tour was for three months, with all but three or four
remaining a few days afterwards, at the request of Washington. ...
...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of George Michael Bedinger
George Michael Bedinger served in Capt. William Morgan’s company in Thruston’s “regiment”.
http://revwarapps.org/w2992.pdf
Pension Application of George Michael Bedinger W2992
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
[Punctuation partly corrected.]
State of Kentucky } Sct.
Nicholas County }
On this 25th day of January 1836 Personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Nicholas
County now sitting, being a Court of Record – George M. Bedinger a resident of said County & state of
Kentucky, aged 79 years on the 10th day of December last, 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.
...
And again, in the month of January 1777 I volunteered in a Company of Volunteer riflemen Commanded
by Captain William Morgan of Berkley County Va. E’d Lucas [Edward Lucas], William Lucas and myself
were the Lieutenants and all of the said County; and early in said month we marched from
Shepherdstown, where I entered said Company) by Philadelphia Crossed the Delaware at Trenton, and
joined the Army under Gen’l. Washington near Morristown, our Company joined the Corps commanded
by Col. Charles M. Thruston [Charles Mynn Thruston] of Frederick county Va. We were that winter
stationed at different places, to guard against the encroachments and plundering parties of the British
Army by opposing them whenever called on. early in March, perhaps the first day, we
fought the Battle of Piscataway – served out our full time of three months when at the request of Gen’l.
Washington to stay three days longer, the company, who were then under my command the other
officers being absent, or not present,) I had called together, and stated to them the request of the
commander in Chief, and necessity and propriety of their complying, when the whole company with the
exception of 3 or 4 agreed to stay and did stay, and was Honorably discharged and allowed a tour of duty
of three months & three days (the 3 or 4 excepted.)
...
----------------------------------------
http://books.google.com/books?id=ik0mAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA29
George Michael Bedinger: a Kentucky pioneer by Danske Dandridge (1909)
p.29
"Our uncle, Henry Bedinger, was also a prisoner for a long time, and although he suffered greatly, his sufferings were not to be compared to those of your father. After your father recovered his health he again entered the service, and continued in it to the end of the war. He was made lieutenant, and I have heard my father speak of many battles he was in, but I have forgotten the names and places."
Though George Michael did not enlist for the term of the war, he volunteered three or four times for short "tours of duty," as they were called. Thus, in his declaration of services, he says:
"In the month of January, 1777, I volunteered in a company of Volunteer Riflemen commanded by Captain William Morgan of Berkeley County, Virginia. Edward Lucas, William Lucas, and myself were the Lieutenants, all of the same County, and early in the month we marched from Shepherdstown by Philadelphia, crossed the Delaware at Trenton, and joined the corps commanded by Colonel Charles M. Thruston of Frederick County, Virginia. We were that winter stationed at different places to guard against encroachments, and plundering parties of the British army by opposing them whenever called on.
"Early in March, perhaps the first day, we fought the battle of Piscataway, served out our full time of three months, when, at the request of General Washington to stay three days longer, the company, who were under my command, the other officers being absent, I had the men called together and stated to them the necessity and propriety of their complying, when the whole company, with the exception of 3 or 4, agreed to stay, and did stay, and was honorably discharged, and allowed a tour of duty, of three months and three days, the three or four excepted."
p.30
It was on this occasion that he rescued his young brother. He gives a short account of his proceedings in one of his writings. He says: "When Captain William Morgan's company got to Philadelphia, which I think was about the first of January, 1777, I found my brother, Daniel, with a few others of those soldiers who had been taken with him at Fort Washington, all of them sick, and so much reduced that I think few of them ever got well. I took him a few miles out of the city to a Quaker's house, and left him there until he should be able to be hauled home. Our company had voluntarily entered the service for three months. * * * In that three months time we were stationed near the enemy's quarters, and kept them from pillaging and foraging as far as we were able. In New Jersey, in the winter of '77, early in March, we had a sharp though short conflict with the enemy, which was called the battle of Piscataway, under the command of Colonel Charles Winston [sic-Thruston], where we were overpowered by a vastly superior number."
It is told of Major Bedinger that he could never speak of the condition in which he found his young brother, without tears filling his eyes. In speaking of the battle of Piscataway he used to say that Thruston's regiment and others were placed to cut off the enemies' supplies, and prevent plundering parties. The British were quartered at Brunswick, and had not yet left their winter quarters. The battle was near Brunswick, and was between the Americans and a much larger party of British. After the repulse and retreat of the Americans, Major Bedinger, and two others, remained behind and fired upon the advancing foe. Major Bedinger was picking and tightening his flint, when, finally, the three intrepid soldiers were obliged
p.31
to consult their own safety, and escaped through the woods, and soon regained the American troops. In this skirmish several were killed, among them Captain Willson and a Mr. Shields. The British overshot, and with their cannon balls broke off many branches of the trees. The ground was covered with snow, and it was bitterly cold. The other two brave men who remained with Bedinger were Captain William Morgan, a veteran of the French and Indian war, and young Christian Bedinger who was the son of Adam Büdinger by his third wife, and consequently a half-uncle of George M. Bedinger. It is possible that Adam Büdinger's third wife was a Morgan. I cannot in any other manner account for the fact that the Bedingers of Shepherdstown called William Morgan, "cousin," unless Adam married a sister of Richard Morgan, the father of Captain William.
…
--------------------------------------
The George M. Bedinger papers: volume 1A of the Draper manuscript collection
Craig L. Heath, George Michael Bedinger
Heritage Books, Apr 30, 2002 - History - 350 pages
APA Citation
Heath, C. L. (2002). The George M. Bedinger papers: volume 1A of the Draper manuscript collection. Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books.
MLA Citation
Heath, Craig L. The George M. Bedinger Papers: Volume 1A of the Draper Manuscript Collection. Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, 2002.
NOTE TO USERS
…
This transcription of the Bedinger papers was
Made from the 1980 microfilm edition of the Draper
Manuscripts, Volume 1A. Portions of the documents
In this volume are illegible or poorly legible, owing to
Fading or staining. Where illegible, these portions
(whether single words or entire passages) are indicated
By ellipses (...); ...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Biography of George Michael Bedinger by Lyman Draper]
...
[p. 5]
…
The War of 1775
...
[p. 11]
…
In Jan. 1777 went under Capt. Wm. Morgan,
a Lieut. to N. J. - battle of Piscataway in March.
Thruston's regt. & others were placed to cut off
supplies & prevent plundering parties, should
fight the British met & distressed them. The
British that winter wintered at Brunswick & had
not yet left their winter quarters; it was pretty near
Brunswick. After the repulse & retreat, & all left
except Maj. ... Bedinger, one Wm. - Morgan &
relative of the captain's & two of them, who re-
[note: there is a line thru "one Wm. - Morgan & relative of the captain's"]
mained & fired upon the advancing foe; in open
view, Maj. B. was picking & tightening his flint,
& finally the three intrepid soldiers were
compelled to leave the field, & fled through the
woods & regained the American troops. Several
Americans were killed, & others wounded. Capt.
Willson & a Mr. Shields were among the latter.
The British over shot, & with their cannon balls
made considerable havoc among the tree-tops.
There ground was then covered with snow, & a
very bitter cold day.
…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[p. 82]
Affidavit[s] of George M. Bedinger for
Pension application
…
[p. 85]
State of Kentucky } Set
Nicholas County
On the day of February 1835 personally
appeared in open court, … George Michael Bedinger ...
...
[p. .87]
…
And again in January 1777 this afiant with a
company of Volunteer riflemen commanded by
Captain William Morgan from Shepers Town
Brkely County V.A. Edward Lucas ... William
Lucas the ... later father of the ... gvner of Ohio &
Himslfe Lieutenants by Philadelphia cross the
Delaware at Trenton and joind the army under
Genl Washington near Moristown and which
company after wards Joind the Corps com-
manded by Colonel Charles M. Thruston of
frederick county virginea proceeded to opose the
Brittish army in Jersey at an action at a place he
thinks cald Piscattaway near Brunswik about the
first of March 77 as[“as” is crossed through] well as this afiant can now
recollect the american troops amounting to about
400 were defeetied and dispersed by what was
deems a Superiour force with light artilery cav-.
elry and Infant[ry] but the fire from the enemies
artillery particularly the grape or canister shot to-
gether with the limes[limbs] that was shot of by ... falling
from the trees and at the same time and at the
some an outcry or rumor that the British were
surrounding us induce our troops (who were
Generally Melela[militia] young and inexperinced troops
to retreat preciportately, with such spead, that in
the shelter of the woods they soon got out of sight
of those who had more experiance & fortitude but
who alone could do no other with pridence than
follow on and ... leave the field of batle to the en-
emy ... cape.
[p. 88]
he this afiant thinks Capt Morgans Company
returnd on the evening of this day of action to the
place they marched from in the Morning previous
to the action, as to the number of killd and
wounded they were but few[.] he is not certain whe-
ther Colonel Thruston was wounded or not, he
recollects that Capt Wilson of Berkly was shot in
the arm; he thinks Wilson's arm was broke by a
shot that musket ball**; and he also remembers
perfectly, that an ounse Ball went through a man
in his compeany comnond of the was taken out
one man in his plattoon of the name of Shields it
had gown in on the other side the man lived and
brought it with him to Kentucky. ...
**Note: Except for Bedinger’s recollections, there appears to be no other reference to a Capt. Wilson of Berkeley who participated in this skirmish. Perhaps at that time this Wilson held a lower rank. It is known that Lieut. James Campbell of Capt. George Scott’s company from Berkeley did have his arm broken by a musket ball at Piscataway. Could Bedinger have been thinking of Campbell but with the passage of time recollected his name as Wilson?
…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[p. 89]
State of Kentucky } Set
Nicholas County
On the day of october 1835 personally
appeared in open court ... George Michael Bedinger
…
[p. 93]
… and again in January 1777 went with a
company of volunteer riflemen commanded
by Captain William Morgan[,] Edward Lucas[,] William
Lucas & myself Lieutenants, by Philadelphia
crossed at Trenton and joind the army under Genl.
Washington at or near Morristown N. J.[,] fought the
Battle of Piscatawa, served out our full term of
three months, when at the request of Gen.
Washington I remained some days longer for
which the men who remained were allowed a full
Tour of duty.
…
[p. 96]
Memo. It may not be improper to state a few
facts ... that ... at what was calld the Battle of
Piscattaway near Brunswick ... March 1777 viz.
about 400 of ... militia having marched near to
the British Lines & near thir army ... conseald in
the woods. When Colonel Wm. Morgan ... was
... in our Company with a few of my company
with them advanced in sight of the Enemy to
draw them out of their camp, to the place where
we were wating in ... but as ... the small party
were destroyed. ... from ... the place where we ...
should only meet with their Infantry & perhaps ...
mistaken our ... known ... hoping ... where ... only
two others we were ... last on and out of sight of
… of our party when we retreatd to ... a young
man calld ... M. Morgan a half brother of my fa-
thers being my grandfather's son by his third wife
... the last ... on in sight when I left the Battel
Ground In this action I do not recollect the num-
ber killd[.] a remarkable occurrence however hap-
ened close to me as I was caling to the men to
come on[.] a man of the name of Shields was shot
nearly through the middle of his body in at one-
side and nearly out at the ... so near that the
skin only retaind the ball[.] he lived and brought the
ball with him to Kentucky.
Capt Wilson of Berkely County had his arm
broke by a ball in sd actions & I think Colonel C.
Thruston was wounded of last, of the latter I am
not certain as my memory is weak.
…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[p. 123]
Letter from George Bedinger rela-
Tive to pension application
Lower Blue Licks 18th June 1842
...
[p. 129]
… But as to my service under
captain Wm. Morgan, as a third Lieutenant This
company although I have now no document or
paper of any kind to prove sd service I hope their
is some documentary evidence of the Services of
Colonel Thruston, who was our Colonel, and with
whom Captain Morgan Company and other ... (I
think) about 400 men I think about on the 4th[sic] day
of March 1777 at a place then calld Pascataway
In N Jersey near where I think the eneny had a
large portion of their army perhaps Burlington
where Capt Morgand & Lieutinent Edward Lucas
of our company with a fue men wen to Sho them-
selves to the Enemy to draw them out after them
while our main force were to lay in ambushe, but
the the enemy followed so fast with ther Infantry,
cavalry and Light artillery, that, our sm[men?] soon gave
way & precipitately retreated[.] their was a I think a
captain wilson, who lived when I was late in
Berkly, had his arm broke (from a wound ... in sd
action, who was well well acquainted with me[,] and
my brother Henry has livd within 3 or 4 miles of
him many years[.] I think if he is still living would be
a good witness to establish that short campain,**
…
**Again, could Bedinger have been remembering James Campbell as Wilson?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[p. 301]
Declaration of George M. Bedinger, Jan. 26,
1836
State of Kentucky } Set
Nicholas County
…
[p. 302]
…
And again, in the month of January 1777 I
volunteered in a company of volunteer Riflemen
commanded by Capt. William Morgan of
Berkley County Va. Ed. Lucas William Lucas
and myself were the lieutenants all of said
County, and each in said month we marched from
Shepherdstown where I entered said com-
[p. 303]
Pany by Philadelphia, crossed the Delaware at
Trenton and joined the Army under Gen
Washington near Morristown, our company
joined the … commanded by Col. Charles M
Thurston of Frederic County, Va. We were that
winter stationed at different places to guard
against the encroachments and plundering parties
of the British Army by …
Early in March perhaps the first day we
fought the Battle of Piscataway[;] served out our
full time of three months when at the request of
Genl. Washington to stay 3 days longer the
commany who were then under my command the
other officers being absent … to them the request
of the Commander in chief and … and … when
the whole company with the exception of three or
… and were honorably dis… and allowed a tour of
duty of three months & three days … excepted.
…
[end of excerpts from The George M. Bedinger papers]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of George Hensel
Hensel served in Capt. William Morgan’s company in Thruston’s “regiment”.
http://www.archive.org/details/virginiapensiona29mcgh
http://www.archive.org/stream/virginiapensiona29mcgh#page/n187/mode/2up/search/Hensel
VIRGINIA PENSION ABSTRACTS
OF THE. REVOLUTIONARY WAR , WAR OF 1812
AND INDIAN WARS
VOLUME 29.
VIRGINIA SERVICE OF GEORGE HENSEL S 6990 PAGE 86
DECLARATION was made April 2, 1333 by George Hensel
who applied under the Act of June 7. 1352.
George Hensel was born 1753 in BERKS COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA
but names of his parents were not given.
While residing near Shepherds town, Berkeley county Va
he enlisted in 1776 and served 3 months in Capt Wm Morgan's
company, Colonel Thruston's Virginia regiment and was in an
engagement at Brunswick, New Jersey. He enlisted April 1781
served 3 months under Capt Vestal under Colonels Willis and
Stricken.
After the Revolution he lived in Alexandria, then
moved to Frederick County Virginia
There are no data in this claim relative to the family
of the soldier. George Hensel.
[Note: Actual text from the pension of George Hensel:
...
That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1776
in the month of December with Captain William Morgan in the
Regiment commanded by Colonel Thruston in the Virginia line
under the following named officers Lieutenant Edward[sic] Lucas, Ensign
Edward Settinger [sic-Michael Bedinger]. That he enlisted in Berkeley County now Jefferson.
That he marched from Shepardstown in Jefferson County to Phi
=ladelphia through Fredericktown, York & Lancaster & afterwards
to Brunswick that he was in an action near Brunswick New
Jersey & was discharged at Quibbletown in New Jersey in the
beginning of April 1777 having served upwards of three months.
...]
-------------------------------------------
Descendants of German immigrant Johann Lorentz Hänsel (Hentzel): including ...
By William Amel Sausaman (1968)
p.19
On Feb. 6, 1833, in Frederick Co., Va. a George Riley deposed
before C. H. Clarke, a justice of the peace, that George Hansel served
in the company of Wm. Morgan [commanded by Col. Thurston] and marched
[in the second week of] Dec., 1776 to Philadelphia through Fredericks-
town, York, and Lancaster, and afterward to Brunswick [N.J.] with
Hensel being discharged at Quibbletown, N.Y.[sic-N.J.] A Jacob Haynes, on
July 11, 1833, gave similar testimony.
...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIRGINIA SERVICE OP MICHAEL HENSEL [aka Hansel] W 7717 PAGE 87
Declaration was filed March 7, 1833 then a resident of
Fairfield County Ohio. He applied under the Act of June 7,
1832. His name also appears as Hentzel and Hansel) was
Born Nov 9 1753 in BERKS COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA.
While residing in Berkeley Co Va, he enlisted sometime
Jan 1776[sic-1777], and served until July 1777, as a private in Capt
Wm Morgan's Virginia company and was in the Battle of Bruns-
wick. After the Revolution he lived in Washington county
Pennsylvania, and in 1801 to moved to Fairfield Co Ohio.
He died July 15, 1838 in Fairfield Co Ohio.
He married March 17 1779 in Washington Co Penna, to
Barbara Harsh , (Marie Barbara Hirsch), who was BORN May 4
1763 or 1765; the names of her parents are not given, nor is
it shown where she was born.
Pension was allowed on her declaration executed Jan 24,1851
at which time she was living in Fairfield Co Ohio. She died
in Fairfield Co Ohio June 26 1851.
The following is a list of the children of Michael
and Barbara Hensel:
Henry born March 27 1781
George born Sept 16, 1782
John born June 10 1784 died Nov 24 1817
Catharine born May 21, 1786
Anna Maria born May 26, 1789 married George Engle
Sarah born March 25 1792 married Samuel Stukey
Elizabeth born March 19 1794 married Jacob Erik
Margaretha born March 3 1796
Magdalena born May 29 1798
Maria born Sept 12, 1800
Susanna date of birth not stated. The following children sur-
vived their mother: ANNA MARIA. ELIZABETH, MAGDALENA AND
SUSANNA .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of John McWilliams
McWilliams served in Capt. William Morgan’s company in Thruston’s “regiment”.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/augusta/court/2court51.txt
John McWilliams's Declaration, October 27th, 1832: Resides in the Long
Glade District; aged 72 years on 14th June last; was born in Summerset
County, New Jersey; first served in a company of light infantry under
Capt. William Morgan, Lieuts. Edward and William Lucas, Ensign Michael
Redinger; they marched from Shepherdstown, in Berkeley County, Virginia,
through Philadelphia, to Juille Town, about five miles from Brunswick, in
New Jersey; he had enlisted in this company in December, 1776, for four
months, and served until the first of April, 1777, when he was discharged;
he was in a small engagement March 1st, 1777, about one mile from
Brunswick, at Piscataway, and in several little skirmishes afterwards; he
remembers a company of Merlin [Maryland] militia commanded by Col. Stricker. ...
----------
note:
See McWilliams's complete pension declaration at http://revwarapps.org/s9005.pdf :
"... He was in a small engagement, he thinks on the first day of March 1777 about
a mile from Brunswick at a place called Pescataway & in several little skirmishes
afterwards. ..."
===================================================================================
George Scott’s Company
Pension declaration of Jacob Lewis (Capt. George Scott’s Company)
[See also http://www.southerncampaign.org/pen/w8044.pdf which includes the testimony of James Curtis.]
http://www.friendsoffortlaurens.org/soldierdetail.cfm?id=165
Pvt. Jacob Lewis
State of Virginia; County of Tyler; On this 19th day of January 1833 personally appeared in open court before Robert Gorell, Thomas Inghram, John B. Lacy & James S. Birckhead justices of the Peace constituting the County Court of Tyler now sitting. JACOB LEWIS, a resident of the said county of Tyler & State of Virginia aforesaid aged Seventy Seven years the 15th day of April last past, 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 the services of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated towit, That in the year 1775 he was an Ensign in the Virginia Militia duly commissioned residing in Berkely County of said state. That he volunteered & served as a private in the service of the United States for three months under Captain George Scott, that he...(data about Bakin Ridge, NJ and Fort Pitt, PA.)
That he volunteered & served as a private in the service of the United States for three months under Captain George Scott, that he rendezvoused at Martinsburg Virginia, from thence he marched through the following towns, to wit, Sharpsburg, Maryland, Fredericktown Md. Little York Pa Lancaster Pa City of Philadelphia & Germantown Pa where the Company halted about 10 days or 2 weeks until they drew their arms--thence to Morris town in the State of New Jersey, where they went into Winter quarters, being quartered about amongst the Inhabitants in the neighborhood of Morris town and Baskin Ridge and Lord Stirlings Quarters, around which he frequently during the Winter stood guard
That during this winter the British were quartered at Brunswick in said State of N Jersey, & that about the last of February 4 or 5 Companies (of which his company was one) volunteered to go & attack them in their Winter quarters. That a Captain Thruston of Frederick County Virginia commanded the Expedition, that in the attack his messmate Hugh Hunter was killed, that he does not recollect the loss on the American side, but recollects that a British deserter told him afterwards that the British lost about Fifty men.
That in this Service he was Five months or thereabouts from the time he rendezvoused at Martinsburg until he was discharged at Baskin Ridge.
...
That while in the service of the first campaign he was acquainted with General Washington & Lord Sterling & while in the weastern campaign he was acquainted with General McIntosh, Col Gibson, Col. Crawford, Col. Broadhead, Major Leath, Brigadare Major Capt. John Lyle, Capt. Ephiam Weatherington, John Cave adjutant & Nathaniel Lindee Quarter Master that he cannot recollect the numbers or names of any continental or militia regiments with which he served.
That he ws born in Berkely County Virginia the 15th day of April 1755, had a record of his age which was destroyed when his house was burnt. That since the Revolutionary War he has resided in Virginia except about two years at Union Town Pennsylvania—That he ha no documentary evidence by which he can prove his service.
That he is acquainted with the Reverend Thomas Jones, Benjamin Brewer, John Dare, John Adams & others of his neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his service in the revolution. He hereby relinquish his every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity but the present & declares that his name in not on the Pension Roll of any State. Sworn to an d subscribed the day they aforesaid. /X/ Jacob Lewis.
We Thomas Jones a clergyman residing in the County of Tyler.
Jacob Lewis was born April 15, 1755 in Berkely Co., Va., (now WV) and died in June, 1840 in Tyler Co., Va., (now WV). He was married two times, first believed to be to Ruth/Elizabeth COOPER about 1777, second time to Mary PARKER Watson on December 17, 1816, the ceremony performed by William Wells in Tyler County. Virginia Pension application Number 16224; Federal Pension appliation Number W. 8044. Pension was granted in Tyler Co in 1833, and widow later also received pension. $43.33 annual allowance; $129.99 amount received; Pension started July 18, 1833, at age 78.
The information on Jacob Lewis was submitted to the Friends of Fort Laurens Foundation by Spencer, Deb. ìRe: My Gr. Grandfather served at Ft. Laurens.î E-mail to the Foundation 7 April 2002 and 9 April 2002.
Johnson, Ross B., ed. West Virginians in the American Revolution. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD 2002 ed. Page 168.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of James Carr (Capt. George Scott’s Company)
Series: M805 Roll: 164 Image: 136 File: S32157
CARR JAMES
Page: 3 of 10
State of Indiana }
Johnson County } Johnson Probate Court
February Term AD 1833
On this 11th day of February in the
year 1833 personally appeared before the Hononable Indel[?] Watts
Probate Judge (now in session within and for Said County
of Johnson and State aforesaid James Carr a resident
in the said County of Johnson aged Seventy five
years who being duly sworn according to law doth
on his oath make the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of
Congress passed June Seventh 1832
That he entered the Service of the United States in
the year 1776 on or about the last of May or the first of
June in Sd [said] year...
Page: 4 of 10
That he entered the Service of the
United States again in the year 1777 by enlistment
under the command of Capt George Scott for the term of
three months in the month of January in SD [said] year
The Captains name was George Scott
1777. ^ the Lieut name was was Robert Jackson & the
Ensigns name was James Campbell if his recollection
Serves him right he says he thinks he marched to a place called
Phiadelphia[sic] and from thence to a place called
Germantown and there they remained untill they
drew arms which belonged to the United States he
Says if his recollection Serves him right the Capitains
went back to Philadelphia and drew their arms
for them and when he came back with the sd [said]
arms they marched on to a place called Morristown
near to a place called Sommerset and he Says the
Company was billeted out as it was then called
in different houses in those two Towns it being
cold weather at that time he Says they were mustered
every day or nearly so while they continued there and
from thence they marched to aplace called Quibble
=town & from thence to a place called Sterling
buildings he Says he was engaged in different
Scouts & and had a number of Skermishes [sic] with the
British he Says he was in Case[?] at the Light Infantry
picket near Quibbletown and the two next at the
Same place & the first day of March
they had an engagement with the Sd British
army at a place called Piscataway which was the most
Severe of any at that place two of our men were
Page: 5 of 10
killed and Seven were wounded & three died
that were wounded afterwards this Declarent
Says at that place he received a discharge
Signed by Capt George Scott and he then
went home after having Served his term
of Service out which was three month at
that time he Says the different times of
Service which he rendered in the Revolution
=ary war when added together makes nine
months in all
…
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of James Campbell (Capt. George Scott’s Company)
Note: According to the pension declaration of James Carr, there was an Ensign James Campbell in the company of Capt. George Scott. According to the pension declaration of John Freshour “Lieutenant Cample in our company had his arm shot off”.
, one of the three companies commanded
by Captain commandant Charles M. Thruston.
The Campbell clan in Virginia
By Leslie Lyle Campbell (1954)
p.119
...
James Campbell was slightly lame and, not being able to keep up with the others,
he
crawled into a hollow log, as they passed through a woods, and
so escaped.
Some time in January, 1777, he volunteered in the Revolution-
ary army, and was made a Captain. He was under the command
of Colonel Thurston, and was, I suppose, a soldier from Freder-
ick county, Virginia. On the first day of March of that same year,
he was wounded by a musket ball in the elbow of his left arm.
This occurred in a skirmish not far from Piscataway, or Tren-
ton, New Jersey. His arm was to a considerable extent, always
useless afterward, and was never entirely healed, until a short
time before his death, when it did heal, ...
...
---------------------------------------
[See also http://revwarapps.org/VAS60.pdf ]
http://files.usgwarchives.net/wv/berkeley/military/campbell.txt
Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection
Campbell, James Pen. 63 1778-1779
Lieutenant-Col. Charles M. Thrustons (Thurston s) Regt. of Volunteers
Berkeley County
In obediece to an order of Berkeley Court, I have examined Captain (not listed
like that in file card) James Campbell's wounded arm and find that the joint of
the elbow is quite stiff, the joint of wrist is immoveable, and the arm withered
above it. Elbow in. I had the opportunity of visiting Captain Campbell after he
received the wound (rest is unreadable except for signature of Adam Stephens
October 28 17??
I do with the advice of Council hereby certify that James Campbell, about __
years of age, late a lieutenant in a company of volunteers under the command of
Col. Chas. Thurston and whose pay was at the rate of (no amount given) per annum
was disabled in the service of the United States by a wound which fractured the
bone of his left arm, and that he is entitled the sum of thirty pounds yearly
from the 1st day of January 1786. Given under my hand as Governor of the
Commonwealth of Virginia, at Richmond, the Governor having resigned, this 13th
day of November 1778.
T. Meriwether Signed: Beverley Randolph
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of John Freshour (Capt. George Scott’s company)
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~freshourfaces/freshourfacesonline/aqwg03.htm
...
When John was fourteen years old, he moved with his father to Berkeley County, Virginia (now Morgan County, West Virginia) ...
...
"I served two tours as a Militia man in the American Continental Service, first as a Volunteer of three months under Captain Scott of Militia, second as a Draft for 12 months under Captain Steed, a regular officer in the American Service.
"From my Father's record from which I have taken this as a copy, I was born in Frederick County, State of Maryland, the 13th day of May in the year 1756, and when I was 14 years old my father moved to Virginia, Berkeley County, and in the year 1776 when I was about 20 years old, there was three Volunteer Companies raised of which I was one of Captain Scott's Company, to go a three month's tour to our army which then lay in their winter quarters at Morristown, in the Jersey State. Captain Thurston[original text appears to say Thruston] from Winchester was the captain of one of these companies and another captain from Shepperts Town [i.e., Capt. William Morgan of Shepardstown], I forgot his name, was the captain of another company, and Captain Scott from Martinsburgh to whose company I belonged, was the third one.
"About Christmas we started from Berkeley County, Virginia, and about the middle of January, arrived at our American lines. It was then in the dead of the winter. No fighting was on. Both armies, the American and the English, were in their winter quarters. Nothing there to do for us. We were then billeted to houses about in the country. There we, in [the] first day of March, we had an engagement with the English at a place called Miscataway (Piscataway) in the Jersey State near Bonbrook and Middlebrook, the snow being half-leg deep. The English were in an open field, and we in a middling large piece of woodland. We stood fire perhaps an hour and a half, and we had to give way. They were more in number than us. They had cannons and we had none. One of Captain Scott's Company, to which I belonged, was left dead on the ground. Another of our company who had received a dangerous wound died soon after. Lieutenant Cample (Campbell) in our company had his arm shot off. Captain Thurston[original text appears to say Thruston] from Winchester also had his arm shot off. We then stayed yet till the last day of March, then were discharged and went home. ...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of Abram McConnell (Capt. George Scott’s Company)
Note: This pension declaration was made by the son of Abram McConnell in 1856. Thus many details are lacking. There is no mention of Thruston or any skirmishes although McConnell was a soldier in George Scott’s company during this time period..
http://revwarapps.org/r6643.pdf
Pension Application of Abram McConnell R6643
[Punctuation partly corrected.]
State of Virginia } SS
County of Washington } On this 25th day of Feby in the year 1856, Personally appeared in open
Court James S. McConnell, Administrator, a resident of the State and County aforesaid, who being first
duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in Order to obtain the
bennefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed, June 7th 1832.
That his Father the said Abram McConnell resided in the County of Berkley [sic: Berkeley] in said
State, and entered the army of the United States as a volunteer (probably in the year 1776 under the
Command of Captain George Scott in the [blank] Regiment of [blank] Virginia troops [see endnote] that
he was Honorably discharged, as his discharge herin enclosed will show, at Baskinridge [sic: Basking
Ridge NJ] on the 1st day of April in the year 1777. that the Names of his Superior or Field Officers are
unknown to him, that the sd Abram McConnell & Rosana his wife were married in the County of Berkley
on the 3d of May 1780, such being the family record. That he the said Abram died in Washington County
on the 7th day of August 1830 – that his widow, Rosana McConnell, died in said County on the 8th day of
May 1846. that the said Rosana at the time of her death left the following named children (Viz. Abram,
James, Thomas & William dec’d. These are the only Children and Heirs at Law of Abram & Rosana
McConnell deceased. [signed] James S. McConnell
Baskingridge 1st Ap’l. 1777
This is to Certify that Abram McConnel a Soldier in my Company of Volunteers from Virginia have
served out the term of his inlistment & is hereby Discharged from the Service — Geo. Scott Capt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
===================================================================================
Pension declaration of John Norris (James Scott’s company from Fauquier County, Virginia)
Note: James Scott’s company from Fauquier County did not participate in the skirmish. However, John Norris mentioned several American units stationed around Quibbletown, including Thruston’s.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~valoudou/johnandmaryjonesnorrisw19930.htm
Pension Application of John and Mary Jones Norris W19930
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Virginia } SS.
County of Lewis }
On this 2d. day of April 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Lewis County now sitting, John Norris a resident of Lewis County and State of Virginia aged seventy-two 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 the 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated Viz. Some time in the month of February (the day not recollected) in the year 1777 in Faquier [sic: Fauquier] County Virginia he volunteered in a company commanded by Capt James Scott, William Kincheloe 1st Lieutenant. John Hathaway 2d. Leiut. and James Hathaway Ensign. said Company was organized at Faquier Court House Va. he then marched with the same by way of Leesburg Va. to Nolands Ferry where he crossed the Potomac River, thence by way of Frederick Town Md. and Lancaster Pa. to Philadelphia thence crossing the Delaware River to Quibble [Quibbletown in present New Market] N. J. where he was stationed, and where he remained until his term of service expired which was three months as a private soldier he then was discharged and returned to his residence in Faquier Co. Va. At the time of his service at Quibble N. J. he became acquainted with Col. [George] Stricker who commanded a Regt. of Continental Troops of the Pennsylvania Line [sic- Stricker was Lt-Col of Maryland’s German Battalion], Lieut. Col. Hollingworth [sic: Henry Hollingsworth], who commanded a Regt. of Maryland Militia. Capt. Thurstan Commandant of a company of Volunteers from Frederick County Virginia. there was at this time stationed at Quibble one other company from Berkely [sic: Berkeley] County Va. the Commandants name he does not recollect, but thinks it was Capt. Morgan.
...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
===================================================================================
===================================================================================
Maryland Militia
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
pension declaration of John Michael Luther
http://genforum.genealogy.com/luther/messages/729.html
State of North Carolina Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
County of Randolph November Term 1832
On this 5th day of November A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions now sitting Michael Luther, a resident of the County of Randolph and State of North Carolina, aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth upon 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--viz:
...
-Amendment-
Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Randolph, and State of North Carolina, Michael Luther, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that he has a record of his age taken from the Church or Parish Register of his native Parish in Germany, that on or about December 15, 1776, he was called into service with the militia of Frederick County, Maryland, under Capt. Duvall, and Col. Baker Johnston, and was marched through York County, Pa--Lancaster, Philadelphia, where he drew arms and ammunition, Trenton, New Jersey, to Lord Stirling's Castle where they arrived the last of Feb. or the 1st of January in A.D. 1777--He states that they were under the command of Brigadier Genl. Thomas Johnston from the time they were called into service untill they arrived at Lord Sterling's Castle: they were then placed under the command of Maj. Genl. Sterling. While stationed at the Castle, the British under Lord Cornwallis were stationed at or near Brunswick, and on the 1st March 1777 there was a skirmish between the American and British Picket guards which brought on a smart engagement on both sides in which the Americans were beaten: this occured at Piscataway, 16 miles from the Castle. He was discharged on or about the 1st of April 1777--having served three months and 15 days: received no written discharge. ...
--------------------------------------
Pension declaration of George Luther [brother of Michael Luther]
[see also http://genforum.genealogy.com/luther/messages/731.html ]
...
... that in December 1776 the
regiment of militia of Frederick Cty Md.
in which he was enrolled, was called into service
under the command of Colonel Baker Johnston ; &
Captain [William] Duvall , commanded the company to which he
belonged , was marched through York County, Pa. crossing
the Susquh anna on the ice at Anderson's Ferry , thro
& drew arms & ammunition
Lancaster, to Philadelphia ; ^ thence to Trenton New Jer
=sey , thence to Lord Sterling's Castle when they arrived
about the first of February 1777. He states that they
were under the command of Brig adier General Thos.
Johnston , from the time they were called into service
untill they arrived at Lord Sterling's Castle when he
was appointed Governor of Maryland; & they first
after the Revolution commensed ; & they were then
under the command of Major Genl. Sterling. He
States that while thus stationed at Sterling's Castle, the
British under Lord Cornwallis were stationed &
had their head quarters at Bruns wick : that on the
1st day of March '77 he was in a fight between
about four hundred men & some of the Jersey mi
=litia on the American Side & about twice the num-
=ber of British : it was brought on between the pick
=et guards -- in which the American side was beaten.
The skirmish took place at Pis cataway town about
16 miles from Lord Sterling's. This was the only battle
in which he was ingaged. About the first of April '77
he was discharged, but received no written discharge.
…
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of Edward Ward
Perry County, Ohio
24 November 1833
... That he volunteered as a
private in the company commanded by Captain William Duval in the
Regiment or battalion of Colonel (or Major) Baker Johnson ...
at Fredericktown in the State of Maryland, in the winter of the
year 1776. This applicant at the he so volunteered was a resident
of Frederick County in Said State of Maryland, and that he volunteered
to Serve for the term of Six months. that he immediately after he so
volunteered joined the Said company at Fredericktown and was
marched directly into new Jersey to the head quarters of General
Lord Stirling, which were about a day's march from Brunswick,
where the British forces were Stationed. Passed on the march through
Trenton Saw the there recent field of battle. two horses killed in the battle
were lying on that field. Declarant marched with about five
hundred troops to near Brunswick and was in a Smart engage
ment between the Americans and british forces. He then returned
with the American troops to Said head quarters and remained
there in garrison until the latter part of June 1777 when & where he
was verbally discharged by his officer. That he served out his
full term of six months for which he had engaged, and then
returned home to Frederick County in Maryland. ...
[Edward Ward married Lucy Wilson on 6 August 1779. He died 26 August 1840 in Perry County, Ohio.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension declaration of Benjamin Beckwith
http://www.ohgen.net/ohmorgan/pensions.htm
Benjamin Beckwith
[The pension application of Benjamin Beckwith of Morgan Township, Morgan County Ohio (originally from Frederick Co. (now Montgomery Co.) MD- National Archives Microfilm M804, roll 197 - transcribed by William H. Thayer (whthayer@aol.com) - please note that I plan to improve upon this first transcription upon my next visit to the National Archives]
State of Ohio
Morgan County
On this the 21st day of July AD 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Honourable Thomas _____ President Joseph C. Linn & David McCart associates - the judges constituting said court & being the court of Common Pleas now sitting Benj Beckwith resident of Morgan township Morgan County Ohio aged about 72 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 the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated - That he enlisted in the spring of 1776 (the day and year are forgotten) in the company of Capt Jacob Young in the Regiment commanded by Col Johnson That he enlisted for during the war in the Maryland Line of Militia on state troops on volunteer but which they were properly called he does not know as they were usually denominated minute men. That he enlisted in Frederick County in the town of Frederick of State of Maryland. Immediately upon this deponents enlistment he was required to do camp duty two or three days in each week but which he has forgotten. He however drew both his pay & his rations in the fall of this year this deponent marched to Philadelphia under Capt James Mackenell who died soon after his arrival in Philadelphia. The regiment tarried about two weeks in that city in which time a great part of his company died of the small pox. The regiment was then moved to the plains of Brunswick in East Jersey & was stationed between Long - hills of Basking Ridge & drew their rations at Lord Sterlings buildings. In this month they crossed the Delaware at Flemington & went through [?]Pluckemin Lord Sterling was in command on their arrival but so greatly were the army displeased with him that it became necessary to change the command which was done & transferred to General Greene While stationed here the British threw up redoubts at the Short hills which opened into a fertile country leading to New York. We attempted to dislodge them in the battle that ensued our regiment in the beginning was commanded by a Virginian formerly and old church preacher by the title & name of Colonel [?] Threwston This Col Threwston had his arm broke at the beginning of the battle when a man took the command by the name of Montgomery. This was the first day of March AD 1777. The British were dislodged. At the beginning of this action this deponent escorted a fellow soldier to him unknown and asked him if he had anything to give him to drink. The soldier replied in the affirmative but said that his canteen was lashed to his back & he had not time to loose it. He however placed himself in such a position that deponent obtained a draught when on wiping his mouth he discovered that his mouth was black with liquid smut whereon he asked the soldier if he had poisoned his whiskey - no says the soldier I put gunpowder in the whiskey & it will make you as bold? as the devil. The battle began between day break & sunrise and lasted till near 10 AM. When it was over this applicant having had nothing to drink from the time of taking his said gunpowder dram & being ______ with heat & thirst & _____ & smarting with powder burnt in his ____ gave 12 dollars of his - wages continental money for a gill of whiskey. This money is all that this applicant has even _____ of the United States for between one & two months service.
…
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http://revwarapps.org/r11991.pdf
Pension application of George Zimmerman [Zimmermon] R11991
...
State of New York Ontario County: SS
On this thirty first day of October 1832 personally appeared ... George Zimmerman a resident of
Phelps in the County of Ontario and State of New York – aged Eighty Seven years, ...
He enlisted about the 1st of January 1777 a private in Capt. Lewis Kemp's Company of
Maryland minute man in Col. Baker Johnson's Regiment – resided at this time in Fredericktown
County of Frederick and State of Maryland – during this year he served at one time in said
Company about Four months during which term he was in the Battle at Quibbletown (so-called)
in the State of New Jersey. ...
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http://www.crimfamily.org/PS03/PS03_329.HTM
[Pension application of John Shober]
State of Virginia, County of Berkeley.
on this 8th day of July 1833 Personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Record John Shover (at present spelled Shober according to the German) a Resident in said County, aged 73 years the 17th Day of August last past, 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 the said John Shober at the time the British over ran the Jerseys volunteered his services & served Three months, which was in the winter of 1776 & 1777. That he was in the schirmish at Quibble Town where three of his mess were killed ____ ...
…
In Reply to the Particular Interrogatories of the Court
...
6th.. I Received a Discharge for the militia service but it has been lost, I think it was given by an officer by the name of Duvall whose Rank I do not recollect
…
A letter dated February 8, 1933, from A.D. Hiller, assistant to the Administrator, to Miss Margaret Wilson, summarizes some of the above document and adds additional information:
...
"While living in Frederick, Maryland, John enlisted in December, 1776, served three and one half months as private in Captain Nicholas White's Company in Colonel Charles Beatty's Maryland Regiment and was in a skirmish at Quibbletown.
...
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Pension declaration of James Fleming
State of Virginia
County of Harrison
On this 24th July 1832 personally appeared before me William C. Rogers one of the Commonwealth's Justices of the peace for the county and State aforesaid, James Fleming Sen. aged Eighty Eight years, a Resident of Simpson's Creek in the county aforesaid ...
That in the year 1776 he entered the Service of the United States as first Lieutenant under Capt. Michael Troutman in the ________ Regiment Commanded by Col: Baker Johnson and continued in the said Service two years & nine months during which time, he was Stationed at Bastin ridge in the State of New Jersey untill the Spring of 1777 - from thince We Went to Piscataway, where he was engag'd in a Battle fought between[crossed out] by Cols: Thruston & Johnson**, against the British - This battle was fought on the 1st day of March 1777 - in which he rec'd a wound in the Lig - from thence we returned to our quarters at Bastin ridge - at which time Genl. Washington quarter'd at White Three Taverns or Morris town - Genl. Green at this time quarter'd with Lord Stirling at Bastin Ridge - on our return home, we crossed the Delaware near Trenton, marched through Lancaster in Pennsylvania from thence to Frederick Town in Maryland.
…
**Was Baker Johnson present during the skirmish? If so, then perhaps he was the second in command who apparently ordered a retreat after Thruston was wounded.
----------------------------
http://muhlenberg.genealogenie.net/military/soldiers.htm
Michael Roll
Revolutionary War Pension Claim S.38340
Michael Roll was physically unable to appear in court and made his declaration to Justice of the Peace Solomon Rhoads.
Dated in Muhlenberg County, 24 March 1834, he made the following declaration in order to obtain benefits under the Act of Congress of June 1832. He gave his age as 71 years. He was unable to work because of “bodily infirmities.”
He entered service the first time as a substitute for Andrew Livingston in 1776, at the age of 14, under Capt. Michael Troutman, Col. Johnston commanding the regiment in the state of Maryland. He marched to Brunswick, NJ. Discharged in Spring of that year.
"He entered service the first time as a substitute for Andrew Livingston in 1776, at the age of 14, under Capt. Michael Troutman, Col. Johnston commanding the regiment in the state of Maryland. we marched to Basking ridge near Brunswick in New Jersey continuing two months in service being a winter campaign He recollects it was very early in the Spring of the year when he was discharged by his Colo he thinks, which discharge is lost."
…
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***** Probably Delete This Section About Shields From the Maryland Militia *****
According to George Michael Bedinger, a “Mr. Shields” was killed in the March 1st skirmish at Piscataway.
Below is information on Shields men in the Frederick County, Maryland militia. However, the Shields whom Beddinger was referring to was in his own company.
http://books.google.com/books?id=2zDeC2T-av4C&pg=PA327
Revolutionary Patriots of Frederick County, Maryland, 1775-1783
By Henry C. Peden (1995)
P.327
SHIELDS, James Sr. Sergeant in Capt. William Shields' company of militia on November 29, 1775 [Ref: E-56].
SHIELDS, John. Ensign in Capt. William Shields' company of militia in the 3rd Battalion on November 29, 1775 [Ref: E-55]. Captain in the 35th Battalion on December 28, 1776 [Ref: B-120, X-555].
SHIELDS, William. Captain of a company of militia on November 29, 1775 [Ref: E-55, B-120]. Associator, 1775, appointed "to hand about the Association paper" in Toms Creek Hundred [Ref: E-172, E-305]. Commissioned a 2nd major in the 35th Battalion on January 3 or 6, 1776 [Ref: E-58, B-120]. Juror to the Oath of Allegiance in 1778 [Ref: C-29]. "William Sheales" was appointed by the the Committee of Correspondence to solicit subscriptions to purchase arms and ammunition in Tom's Creek Hundred in 1775 [Ref: I-86].
See below Michael Hockersmith, who was a lieutenant in Capt. William Shield’s company of Maryland militia. Hockersmith did not indicate that Capt. Shields was ever killed, however.
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Note: The pension declarations below of William Beckwith Head, Daniel Shelor, and Michael Hockersmith each mention a skirmish or affair at Quibbletown. They may refer to a skirmish other than the one at Piscataway on 1 March 1777.
Pension declaration of William Beckwith Head
http://files.usgwarchives.org/md/frederick/military/revwar/pension/head-wb.txt
Pensions: William Beckwith Head, 1833: Frederick, Frederick Co., Maryland
Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Bill Thayer (whthayer@verizon.net)
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.org/md/mdfiles.htm
************************************************
from: National Archives Pension Application R 21695 micro M804:1240
declaration dated 20 Mar 1833:
State of Maryland, Frederick County Seat
On this 20th day of March 1833 personally appeared in open court before the
Court of Frederick County, now sitting William B. Head a resident of Frederick
County Maryland, aged eighty four years on the 26th day of October 1832, 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 dated June of
1832. That he received the commission of first lieutenant of Captain Mordecai
Bealls Company of militia in the Middle District of Frederick County belonging
to the thirty seventh battalion of the now state but then province of Maryland
on the 15th day of May Anno Domini 1776 as will appear by reference to the
original commission. I ask hereto annexed marked A and prayed to be considered
as part of this application: that during the summer or fall of 1776 said Captain
Mordecai Beall died: That on the death of said Beall this applicant was
appointed Captain of said Company in his place but whether he was appointed by
the delegates of the Freemen of Maryland in Convention who gave him the
commission of first lieutenant as aforesaid, or by the field officers, he cannot
now remember. So it is however that as Captain in the room of said Beall named
in the commission aforesaid, he did about the last of December 1776 as captain
of said company march with and in command of the same, from Creagers Town in
Frederick County aforesaid: the first lieutenant was Bigger Head the brother of
applicant: the second lieutenant was Cornelius Ridge, ensign Isaac Miller: there
were about forty or fifty soldiers in the company. From Creagers Town they
passed through Taney Town, thence on to Hanover, thence to York, where they
remained perhaps a night or two, crossed the Susquehannah early in January on
the ice with the baggage wagons, to Lancaster, then on to Philadelphia, remained
several days there: thence to German Town where they stayed one night, crossed
the Deleware at ?Cirrills? Ferry as he thinks: thence to Basking Ridge in New
Jersey in the quarters near Lord Sterlings buildings, where from time to time
provisions were drawn. Here the applicant joined his Colonel James Johnson of
Frederick County to whose regiment he was of course attached, also Col. Charles
A. Beatty, Thomas Johnson Brigadier General who was afterwards the first
governor of Maryland, and this applicant was in the company with said Thomas
Johnson at headquarters when the Express arrived with his commission as
governor. Applicant was in the affair of Quibbletown in New Jersey, as a captain
always with and under command of the aforesaid Charles A. Beatty: three of our
men were killed: they were from Frederick Town: one of them was named Estler as
he thinks & was a gunsmith: one from Virginia was wounded. Applicant thinks
he was at Basking Ridge for perhaps about two months and at the expiration of
the time for which they were detailed, was honorably discharged: delivered up
their arms and returned here as he had gone on foot, about the last of March
1777 to Frederick County where he has resided ever since. Applicant farther
saith that the paper marked B hereto annexed is the very identical paper which
he received as Captain when on the cofedition[?] aforesaid, which was the blank form used
at that time which has been preserved by him to this day. [in the records there
is a printed account/inventory form]
[next page]
This applicant was a volunteer. He aided also in guarding the
Hessians captured at Trenton, when coming oa[?] to the south, from
Woodsburough in Frederick County to ?Noland? Ferry.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whether to a pension or annuity
[-----] the present & declares that his name is not on the
pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed on day and year aforesd.
David F. Schaeffer Wm B. Head
Henry Baer
Test. Jno Schley, clerk
We David F. Schaeffer a clergyman residing in Fredericktown and Henry Baer
residing in the same place do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
William B. Head who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: believe
him to be eighty four years of age on the 26th day of October 1832: that he is
reputed & beleivd[believed] in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been
a captain of a company in the revolutionary war and served as he states and that
we concur in that opinion. And the court further certifies that it appears to
them that David F. Schaeffer who has signed the preceding certificate is a
clergyman resident in Fredericktown, Frederick County, Maryland and that Henry
Baer who has also signed the same is a resident in the said town of
Fredericktown and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to
credit. And the said Court does hereby declared their opinion after
consideration of the matter and after putting the interrogation prescribed by
the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary captain
& served as he states.
Sworn to in open court 20 March 1833
Test Jno Schley, clerk
I Jno Schley clerk of the Court of Frederick County, State of Maryland do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the
matter of the application of William B. Head for a pension. In testimony whereof
I have herewith set my hand and seal of office this 20th day of March 1832.
Jno Schley, clerk
Frederick County Court
State of Maryland
City and County of Baltimore Ct
Be it remembered that on this twenty third day of March in the year of
our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Three, before me the Subscriber
an associate Judge of the Sixth Judicial District of Maryland, personally
appeared James Johnson of the said city of Baltimore who being duly sworn by me
upon the Holy Evangely of Almighty God, did depose and say, that he is now in
the fifty ninth year of his age, and that he has known Major William B. Head of
Frederick County, State of Maryland, ever since he can remember. That the said
William B. Head was an officer in the Regiment commanded by the father of this
Deponent, Col. James Johnson, which Regiment was in General (afterwards
Governor) Johnson's Brigade which marched from Frederick County in the winter of
the year 1776 and 7, through Little York, Lancaster, Philadelphia, and part of
New Jersey to Morris Town in the latter state, and were encamped during the same
winter on the Basking ridge, and were discharged in the month of March or April.
That he does not know the actual rank which said Head held in that Regiment, but
that he always was known as Captain William B. Head in the neighborhood until he
was appointed a Major in the Militia. That this deponent has heard
[next page]
his Father frequently say that Major Head
was an officer in his Regiment during the time it
was in service in New Jersey, and he distinctly recollects Major Head's telling
him that he was in Genl. Johnson's Quarters when the Express from Annapolis
arrived, informing him of his (Genl Johnson's) Election as Governor of Maryland,
and this Deponent further states that Major Head has always borne the character
of a most estimable, honest, and worthy gentleman, whose word would be taken by
all who know him as soon as his Bond or oath, and further Deponent Saith not.
In testimony where I have hereunto Subscribed my name, this twenty third
day of March in the year of our Lord One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty
three, at the City of Baltimore aforesaid:
R. B. Magruder
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Pension declaration of Daniel Shelor (Sheilor, Sheiler)
[Note: Shelor wrote “Whilst stationed here this applicant was in a severe skirmish with the enemy at a place Quibbletown. Was this the same as the one at Piscataway on 1 March 1777?]
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapatric/danielshelors6079.htm
Pension Application of Daniel Shelor: S6079
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Virginia}
["Montgomery" crossed through] Floyd County} To wit:
On this 20th day of August in the year 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justice of the county court aforesaid, now sitting, Daniel Shelor a resident of said county & state, aged almost 82 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 the service of the United States in the Militia in the County of Frederick in the state of Maryland on the 2nd of January, 1777, as a Lieutenant–that he continued in said service a few days more than three months, until about the 10th of April, when his services were suspended. He marched during this term of service into New Jersey, to a place called Baskin's Ridge about 7 miles from Morristown where Genl. Washington was encamped. At this time the English Army lay at Brunswick. Whilst stationed here this applicant was in a severe skirmish with the enemy at a place Quibbletown. The forces to which he belonged were commanded by Genl. Thomas Johnston and Colo. James Johnston. His captain was John Carmack. After finishing this tour of service, he returned home & remained there until some time in the following year 1778 when as a captain he again entered into active service for another tour of three months, which was entirely spent in guarding, with the company under his command, prisoners who were lodged in Frederick Town Maryland. During the time he was stationed here he received his orders from one Major Baily.
...
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Michael Hockersmith
Lieut. Michael Hockersmith served in Capt. William Shields of the Frederick County, Maryland militia.
[Note: “The company participated in the Battle of Quibbletown, New Jersey in March of 1777.” Was this the same as the skirmish at Piscataway on 1 March 1777?]
http://bellsouthpwp.net/t/i/timhock/vol%206%20no%203_web.pdf
HOCKENSMITH/HOCKERSMITH FAMILY ASSOCIATION
VOLUME VI, NUMBER 3. DECEMBER 2005
p.2, right column
Lieutenant Michael Hockersmith served in
the Maryland Militia from Frederick
County in Captain William Shields'
Company of the 3rd battalion (later the
35th battalion), which was organized in the
fall of 1775. The company participated in
the Battle of Quibbletown, New Jersey in
March of 1777. They also participated in
the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown
and Whitehorse Tavern in Pennsylvania
from September through October 1777.
It is also highly probably that this
company was involved in the Battle at
Yorktown, Virginia in 1781.
...
Pages 3-5: biography of Johann Michael Hockersmith
The author cites from Battles and Skirmishes of the American Revolution in New Jersey by David C. Munn (1941) seven battles at Quibbletown between January and March 1777: Jan 16, Feb 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 20, Mar 8,
Mar 10, and Mar 24. No mention is made of the March 1 skrimish by Thruston.
NOTE: However, Munn does mention a skirmish at New Brunswick on March 1:
http://westjerseyhistory.com/index.shtml [home]
http://westjerseyhistory.com/books/battlesmunn/partfourb.shtml [Battles and Skirmishers - Naval to Rahway]
NEW BRUNSWICK March 1, 1777
Colonel Scott attacks a British foraging party.
NJA 2, 1, 306.
Source:
NJA
Archives of the State of New Jersey, First Series, vol. xxxi (Somerville, N.J., 1923), Second Series (5 vols., Trenton, 19011917).
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