REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSIONS
Albert S. McLean
 

Read about the Battle of Kings Mountain 

NOTE

Our Revolutionary War Pensions pages are being updated.  Please bear with us as changes, corrections, and updates are made.  If you have information about a Revolutionary War soldier who lived in any part of Old Buncombe County (this would include Haywood, Henderson, and part of Yancey as well as present-day Buncombe County), please contact the webmaster.  Thanks for your patience and help.

THOMAS ABEL
    Born Aug. 5, 1759 in Shenandoah County, VA he enlisted there under Capt. Overton, Col. Ballard etc., and was in the siege of York and served against the Tories and Indians, etc., and in a number of hard battles of that conflict and was with Washington when Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown on October 19, 1781.  After the war he moved to Buncombe (now Haywood) County, NC where on September 1, 1784 he married, in Pigeon River, Buncombe Co., NC Elizabeth Katherine Woodfin who was born March 9, 1763.  He established his home five miles southeast of the present town of Canton, Haywood County, NC where he and his wife lived and died, he on August 30, 1822.  They had nine children one of whom died before 1822.  In his will dated 1822 he refers to a son Samuel W. Abel, a step-son John Woodfin and seven daughters (names not given).  Della Hughes born Jan. 3, 1788 in Buncombe Co., NC was his 2nd child.  He and his wife are buried in the Locust Field Cemetery at Canton, NC.
JOHN ASHELY
    Whose widow Eleaner Ashley was among rejected and suspended pensioners of Buncombe County, NC
DANIEL BALL
    Born August 17, 1763.  Enlisted 1779 in Franklin Co., NC under Capt. Richard Ransom and Col. Alex Lillington and was in the battle of Camden, SC, etc., (Gen. Gates was defeated at Camden). On June 12, 1788 he married in Granville Co., NC Ann (...) who was born in 1760.  He died in Buncombe Co., NC on Sep 9, 1844 and his widow died after 1845.  A daughter Hammolopeth married Nehemiah Blackstock who was born in 1795 in South Carolina.
ISAAC BATES
    Buncombe County Minute Docket July 1798, page 15, "On the personal application of Isaac Bates, an invalid, wounded in the late Revolutionary War by the Indians in the year 1776 in so much that he the said Isaac hath totally lost his right arm, and it appearing clear and plain that the said Isaac now is and hath long since been a resident of our said county of Buncombe and that he received his said wound fighting in the service of our said country and that said Isaac hath no apparent means of acquiring a livelihood except by manual labor, which he is altogether unable to perform and he being a very poor man and in fact an object of charity.  It is therefore ordered that the said Isaac Bates be allowed the sum of 15 pounds as an allowance for the year 1798 and that the clerk make out a copy of the above representation and order to the end that the same may be presented to the speakers of each house of the next General Assembly for acceptance.
THOMAS BRANDON
    Buncombe County Record ... Minute Docket 1798-1812, page 104, October 1801 ... Thomas Brandon came into open court and made oath as the law directs that he actually and personally served three years in the Continental service under Captain Anthony Sharpe.  It being the full term of his enlistment.
ISAAC BROCK, SEN.
    Rejected and Suspended Pensioner of Buncombe County, NC.
ZEBULON BAIRD
    Born Morristown, NJ of Scotch parentage ... soldier of the Revolution ... member US Senate and House of Commons ... buried beneath 1st Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC.
WILLIAM BRITTAIN
    Born February 7, 1762 in Orange County, NC.  Enlisted there under Col. McCauley as 2nd Sergeant and was at the capture of Hillsborough and the taking of Gov. Burke by the Tories.
    He removed to Burke County, NC and enlisted there under Col. Joseph McDowell and went into the battle of Cowpens and served a three month tour at the upper Fort near the head of the Catawba River in Burke County under Captain Daniel Smith and Samuel Patton was in this tour with him.  He lived in Burke County until about 1789 then moved to Buncombe County, NC. In 1832, age 72 years
    His pension papers were witnessed by Nathan Harrison (clergyman), Samuel Davidson, Samuel Patton, William Kimsey (clergyman), and James M. Smith.  He is buried near Dula Springs, north of Weaverville, NC.
        /s/ Willyam Brittain
MAJ. DANIEL BRYSON
    Served in Burke Co., NC with William Erwin.  In 1832 living in Buncombe Co., NC
LAMBERT CLAYTON
    Born Jan. 22, 1755 in Dover, Delaware ... Enlisted 1781 in North Carolina under Capt. John G. McCree, Col. Sumner, and saw service in many Southern battles.  He married Dec. 14, 1782 in Rowan Co., NC Sarah [sic] Davidson, a daughter of John and Nancy (Brevard) Davidson. ... He was among the pioneer settlers of Buncombe County and died on July 12, 1828 in Buncombe (now Henderson County) and his widow died in Henderson County, NC on March 20, 1843.  They were the parents of Jane, John, George, Thomas, Sarah, Rachel, Henrietta and Col. Ephraim who was born in 1805 and died on August 9, 1892, also Lambert Clayton, Jr.  Col. Ephraim Clayton had a son, Col. George Wesley Clayton.  In 1818 he was pensioner of Buncombe County, aged 80 years, a soldier of NC Continental line.  His pension commenced June 23, 1825. {Widow applied 12 July 1828.]
ADAM COOPER
    He enlisted in Sullivan County, NC (now Tennessee) under Col. Isaac Shelby and was in the battle of Cedar Springs, etc.  He lost his left hand and was badly wounded July 1780 in battle.
    He married Elizabeth Forgery who was born in 1751.  In 1823 they were living in Buncombe County, NC and at that time Isaac Shelby of Lincoln Co., KY testified that Adam Cooper served in his company in 1780.
    He died on April 27, 1830 and is buried in the Old Cane Creek Cemetery at Fairview, Buncombe County, NC and on his tombstone is the following inscription: "Adam Cooper, a Revolutionary departed this life April 27, 1830 whose memory shall be held sacred as long as honor or gratitude live among men."
    In 1848 James Cooper (probably a son) and one of six children testified to Adam Cooper's service in the War and in 1855 his heirs received bounty lands.
JOSEPH COWAN
    Born 1758 ... enlisted 1776 in Mecklenburg Co., NC under Capt. Robert Smith, Thomas Polk, etc., and was in the battles of Cowan's Ford, Ramsours Mills and against the Tories.  He married in 1799 in Burke Co., NC Nancy Buchanan who was born in 1769.
    In 1800 they were living in Buncombe County, NC and he died on October 30, 1835 in Haywood (now Jackson) County, NC and in 1854 his widow was living in Jackson Co., NC.  They were the parents of five children among whom were
    1. Joseph Cowan was b. Aug. 22, 1800
    2. William C. Cowan b. Dec. 3, 1801
    His pension papers were witnessed by James Buchanan, J.P. and William R. Buchanan, J. P., both of Jackson Co., NC.
JOSEPH CROSS
    Born 1747 in Loudon Co., VA ... At the age of two he removed to Baltimore Co., MD where he lived until 14 then moved to York Co., PA where in 1776 he enlisted and was in the battles of New York, Trenton, South Amboy, etc.
    He remained in Pennsylvania for four years after the war, then moved to Rowan Co., NC thence to Buncombe Co., NC where he died on Jan. 15, 1842.  He married Sarah Cogdell who was born in 1770 and who in 1869 was living in Fannin Co., GA.  Their daughter Rachel married James D. Cross.
    George Robinson and Jesse Palmer, soldiers of Buncombe Co., NC testified to his service. (Living in Buncombe Co. in 1840 age 93 years at home of Joseph Cross.
/s/ Joseph Cross

GEORGE CUNNINGHAM, SENIOR
    Who in 1797 married in Buncombe Co., NC Mary McCarty [or McCarter].  In 1834 they were living in Haywood County, NC. (See Haywood County Records).

JOHN DAVIDSON
    Born Feb. 15, 1764 in Rowan Co., NC ... Enlisted 1781 in Burke Co., NC as a substitute for William McGonigal under Capt. Samuel Davidson and was stationed at Upper Fort on Catawba River.  In 1781 he enlisted under Capt. Daniel Smith and was stationed above and at a Fort on Broad River and frequently went on scouting expeditions against the Cherokees, once marching to Watauga town on the Tennessee River.  After the war he moved to Buncombe County, NC and in 1809 or 1810 moved to Bedford Co., TN where he was living in 1835.  He married 1st Ruth Clement and 2nd Frances Bateman.

CLEMENT DAVIS
    Born 1755... Enlisted 1775 in Newberry District, South Carolina under Capt. Charles King and Col. John Lindsey and was in battles with the Cherokees, The Siege of Augusta, etc.,
    On Aug. 15, 1785 he was married in Lincoln Co., NC by Rev. Joseph Camp to Elizabeth Fleming, born 1766.  He died on October 29, 1838 in Buncombe Co., NC and in 1843 his widow was living in Buncombe County.
    Jacob Martin who was born in 1759 stated that he knew Clement and Elizabeth Davis before the war.  He was a pensioner in Buncombe County, NC in 1832 age 79 years.

ISHAM DAVIS
    Who was living in Buncombe County, NC in 1800, but later moved to Macon Co., NC where he died on Dec. 30, 1835. See Macon County Records.

EDWARD DECOINE/DECORNE [illegible]
    A pensioner who in 1832 was living on Little River of French Broad River near Claytonsville, P.O. in Buncombe (now Henderson County) County, NC.  In 1832 he was living in Buncombe County, NC, age 77 years.
    (it is believed that he left no descendants in Western North Carolina.  He died and is buried in Henderson County, NC, but the exact location of his grave is unknown.)

WILLIAM DEAVER
    Born 1763 on Susquehannah River in Maryland.  Enlisted 1780 in Amherst County, VA under Lieut. Bartlett Eades and guarded Burgoyne Prisoners for three months.  In 1781 he volunteered in Capt. James Dillard's Company and marched from Amherst Court House, VA and joined Gen. Greene's army at Troublesome Ironworks in North Carolina the day after the battle of Guilford.  Later he enlisted under Col. Washington where he remained until Cornwallis took shipping.  He was then discharged and went home.  In July he enlisted under Cap. John Loving, Cap. James Montgomery and marched to Williamsburg, VA and there remained under Gen. Wayne until Gen. Washington arrived and then was marched to Little York and there remained siege until Lord Cornwallis surrendered and then was discharged and went home.
    In 1800 he was living in Buncombe County, NC and in 1850 he was living at the home of his son Reubin Deaver in Buncombe County, NC.  He died shortly after 1853 in Marshall County, Mississippi at the home of his son Elijah Deaver.  In 18323 he was living in Buncombe County, age 70 years.
    His pension papers were witnessed by Col. Robert Love and Robert Henry, soldiers of the Revolution.  In 1840 he was age 77 years and living with son Reubin.
        /s/ Wm Deaver

JAMES DUNSMORE
    Born 1760 in Ireland ... Enlisted 1778 in Sullivan County, NC (now Tennessee) under Cap. Marfield and saw service on the frontier, etc.  He married in January 1794 in Buncombe County, NC, Jane McDonald, a daughter of Andrew McDonald.  He died Sep. 3, 1837 in Morgan Co., Alabama and in 1855 his widow was living in Morgan County, Alabama.

JESSE ELKINS
    Served in Virginia ... died in Yancey County, NC.

WILLIAM ERVIN
    Born 1754 or 1755 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania... Enlisted in 1776 in Burke County, NC under Gen. Griffith Rutherford, Col. Francis Locke, Col. James Brandon, etc., and was in the battles of Charleston, Camden, Monks Corners, Briar Creek, Ramsours Mills and against the Cherokee, etc.  After the war he lived in Buncombe, Macon, and Henderson Counties, NC.  In 1832 he was living in Buncombe County, age 80 years.

MICHAEL FANNIN
    Pensioner who in 1832 was living in Buncombe County, NC 74 years of Virginia service.

REUBIN FLETCHER
    Born 1757 in Essex County, VA and before the Revolutionary War moved to Caswell County, NC and enlisted there at the age of 18 years under Capt. Robert Moore, etc., and was in the battles of Stono and against the Tories, etc.
    About 1802 he moved to Buncombe County, NC where he was living in 1832, age 78 years.  Among other children he had a son, Reubin Fletcher, Jr.
        /s/ Reuben Fletcher

THOMAS FORSTER
    State of North Carolina               Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
   Buncombe County                      October Term 1832
    On this 17th day of October personally appeared in open court before the justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Buncombe County State of North Carolina now sitting, Thomas Forster, a resident of said county and States his age 82 years 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 passed June 7, 1832.  To Wit That he was born on the 22 day of January in the year 1751 in the State of Pennsylvania his parent removed to Frederick County in the State of Virginia when he was quite young.  He lived in Frederick County until he was 24 or 25 years old.  He moved thence to Augusta County in said state.  He here enlisted in the year 1777 for the term of three years under Leftenent Bell in the Continental Army..  He marched us to Winchester when he joined his Capt. John McGuire.  His Capt. marched to Dumfries where they joined Col. Grayson 16th VA Reg. he commanded. He marched up the Potomac River and crossed at George Town.  He then marched to Baltimore remained there a few days and took shipping and landed in Philadelphia and sailed up to Trenton.  He marched to headquarters in New Jersey and joined the main army commanded by General George Washington.  He was here under the French decipline [sic] by Steuband.  He marched to Trenton back and thence to Philadelphia and crossed the Schuykill River on a floating bridge.  He went on the Battle of Brandywine and he was here in the battle.  He then marched then back to Philadelphia or in five or six miles of Philadelphia and was then in battle of German Town.  He stayed here and went to the Valley Forge winter quarters.  He next went after (winter quarters) to the Battle of Monmouth and joined the Light Infantry commanded by General Scott.  He next day joined the same company, Captain McGuire.  He marched and crossed the North River and was made wagon master and was in that station until he received his discharge.
    He received his discharge in Philadelphia after serving his three years from General Muhlenburg at the Barax.  Here it was enjoyned to march some British prisoners to Maryland which he did and returned home to Virginia where he lived until 40 years old and moved to South Carolina stayed eight or ten years, thence to Buncombe County, NC where he resides now and has for thirty years. (1832 age 84 years living in Buncombe Co.)
        Wit. by Jam W. Davidson            /s/ Thos Forster
        Nathan Horreson

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