Excerpts from Revolutionary War Pension Files
 

AMOS BRANTLEY

Georgia
Amos Brantley of Hancock Co. in the State of Georgia who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Bacott of the regiment command by Colonel Lytles in the N. Carolina line, for the term of one year from April 1782 to April 1783

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 8 dollars per month, to commence on the first day of January 1827.

Certificate of Pensions issued the 3d of February 1827 and sent to Hon. G. B. Haynes House of Representatives

Arrears to 4th of March 1827 $17.03
Revolutionary Claim Acts March 18, 1818 and May 1, 1820

Georgia
County of Hancock
On this 1st day of January 1827, personally appeared in open court (being a court of record for the county of Hancock and State of Georgia, it being the ___ and ___ made by law a court of record) Amos Brantley, resident said county, aged sixty seven years the 11th day of Sept. 1826, who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the pension made by the acts of congress of the 18th March 1818 and the 1st May 1820, that he the said Amos Brantley enlisted for the term of eighteen months, some where about the month of May in the year 1782 or some time thereabout, in the State of North Carolina, in the company commanded by Captain Bacott in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Archibald Litell in the line of the State of North Carolina, in the continental establishment, that he continued to serve the said corps until some time about 1783 and as well as recollected in the month of August, or thereabout, in the state of  North Carolina at Wilmington; that thereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present, that his name is not on the roll of any state; and that the following are the reason for not making an earlier application for a pension.  He then states that he has never been in possession of the knowledge of the existence  of those acts, making provision in herein contemplated, until about October last: and in presence of the act of the lottery 1820.
I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day March 1818 and I have not since that time by gift, sale or any mean disposed of my property, or any property, or securities, contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule here unto annexed, and by  one subscriber, that since the 18th day of  March 1818, the following changes have taken in my property.
Amos Brantley
his B mark
Sworn to and declared in open court this 1st day of Jany 1827
Attest James H. Jones Clk
 

List of property belonging to Amos Brantley

2 Sows & 10 Shoats, 2 Cows & 1 yearling.

My occupation is a farmer, my strength and ability is not sufficient to support my family, the number of my family is 9.

Washington Hamilton Brantley aged 18 years capable of rendering me some assistance.
Thomas Jefferson Brantley aged 14 years, capable of rendering a little assistance to the support, and about capable to support himself.
Lundsford Whitaker Brantley about 11 years old not able to support himself and who has lost a thumb and finger.
Susan Brantley 9 years old incapable of doing much toward a support,
Tiller Brantley about 5 years old &
Lurana Brantley about 20 months old
and Martha Ann Brantley about 7 years old.

The changes which have taken place since 18th March 1818 in my property is that I have given my name as a  revolutionary character for chances in the land lottery in this state when I drew the prizes as tracts of land I have been informed are worth nothing and have consequently never taken out the grants to the land, believing the land is not worth the money which would be to pay for grants.
(Signed)  Amos Brantley
his B mark

Georgia
Hancock County
Personally appeared that Chas. Sturdivant in the Inferior Court of said County and being duly sworn in open court, says that Amos Brantley the person named in this instrument as a Revolutionary charter was a regular soldier in the service of the United States and that the facts stated in relation to his services come within his own knowledge & that he knows them to be correct.
(Signed) Chs. Studivant
Subscribed & sworn in open court
this 1st day of Jany 1827
Attest James H. Jones Clk.

I, James H. Jones clerk of the Inferior court of Hancock county do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the court, that the said Amos Brantley did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration against.

He was born September 11, 1759. He died March 1828. See Family Cemetery

Abstracted fromRevolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116


BYRD BRAZIL
 The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 31571, based upon service of Byrd Brasil in the Revolutionary War.
  Byrd Brazil (as he signed his name) was born in North Carolina; the date and exact place of his birth, and the names of his parents are not shown.
    He enlisted may 5, 1775, at which time he resided in Chatham County, North Carolina, served in Captain William Brinkley's company, 3r North Carolina regiment, marched to Charleston, South Carolina, where he remained about three months, thence to Savannah, thence to Osabow Island, thence to Halifax, North Carolina, thence to Belle Haven on the Potomac, thence to General Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge, at which place the army was reduced and Captain Brinkley returned to North Carolina and Byrd Brazil was placed in Captain Phil Taylor's compnay, from which company, still at Valley Forge, he was transferred to Captain Benjamin Williams' company, marched to Monmouth under Colonel Morgan, reached there after the battle, was discharged in October 1778, near New York, from Captain Benjamin Williams' company, Colonel John Patten's 2d North Carolina Battalion, and marched south under Major Colonel Davidson.
  Byrd Brazil was allowed pension on his application executed January 7, 1833, at which time he resided in Hancock County, Georgia. He was aged then sixty-nine years. Grave not found.

Revolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116


TULLY CHOICE

The record which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim W.3774, based upon the RevolutionaryWar service of Tully Choice.
     Tully Choice was born June 17, 1753 in Orange, Culpeper or Pittsylvania County, Virginia, names of his parents not given.
    While residing in Pittsylvania, that part which was later Henry County, Virginia, Tully Choice enlisted in the spring of 1776, served as ensign in Captain Thomas Dillard's compnay, Colonel Charles Lewis' Virginia regiment, was in the expedition to Coyn's Island, after which he was appointed lieutenant and marched againsed the Cherokee Indians in Captain Jesse Heard's company, Colonel Christie's Virginia regiment, served in all about eight months. He was appointed September 15, 1777, 2nd lieutenant in the Virginia militia and served from April 1, 1779 about four months in Captain Witchin's (?) company, Colonel David Hason's regiment. He served from in June, 1780 as lieutenant in Colonel Faulkner's regiment, was in the battle of Camden, where a ball passed though his coat, but he was not injured, length of this service four or five months. He was appointed August 26, 1780, captain of the Henry County, Virginia militia.
      He moved from Henry County, Virginia in 1784 to Ninety-Six District, South Carolina, where he lived until in 1792, when he moved to Hancock County, Georgia.
     The soldier, Tully Choice, was allowed pension on his application executed January 7, 1833, then a resident of Hancock County, Georgia. He died there December 19, 1837.
    Tully Choice married August 15, 1791 in Laurens District, South Carolina, Rebecca. It is shown that one Rebecca Sims was born October 29, 1775; it is not definitely stated that she was the wife of the soldier.
    The widow, Rebecca Choice, was allowed pension on her application executed Ocobter 27, 1843, at which time she was aged sixty-eight years and living in Hancock County, Georgia.

The children of Tully Choice and his wife, Rebecca
John born January 8, 1793, died January 15, 1793
Finton born March 28, 1798, died November 3, 1799
Anne born August 9, 1797
William born February 11, 1800
Tully born June 10, 1803, died July 8, 1803
Ruth born April 15, 1804
Jesse C. born October 25, 1806
Katherine born July 8 1810
Martha born April 30 1815
Rebecca C. born October 29, 1818
    William Choice, brother of the soldier, Tully Choice, in 1832 was in Greenville District, South Carolina; he also, served in the Revolution.
    Mrs. Mary Choice stated in 1844 in Greenville District, South Carolina, that she was present at the marriage of Tully Choice and Rebecca, and Jefferson Choice in 1844 was Justice of the Peace in Greenville District, South Carolina. It is not shown that they were related to the family nor that they were related to each other.
See Family Cemetery

Abstracted from Revolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116


JOSEPH GRANT
First entered service in Edgecomb County North Carolina as a private under Captain Edward Clinch,  General Ash, Colonel Clinch, State of North Carolina for 5 months. Then under Captain Ship(?), Colonel Anson and General Gates, 5 months state of NC. He was 75 years old in 1834 when pension was filed in Hancock County.
( Ink is spilled all over the papers and makes it impossible to read the whole claim.)

Abstracted from Revolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116


JOHN HILL
John Hill of Virginia was a private of Calvary in Virginia. Colonel Parkers Regiment, 2 years.
Moved from Virginia to Maryland to Hancock County, Georgia
 

John Hill  was allowed pension on his application excuted February 4, 1833, while residing in Hancock County Georgia, and aged eighty-two or eighty-three years.
  He died in said Hancock County, November 12, 1843. Grave Not Found.
   The soldier married in 1779 or 1780, in Northumberland County, Virginia, Nancy, daughter of  George and Mary Kesters. Nancy was born May 29, 1763, place not stated. Nancy stated that they were married in church by a minister "of the Catholic order."
    Soldier's widow Nancy was allowed pension on her application executed July 7, 1845, while residing in Hancock County, Georgia.
     She died about December 10, 1845, in Hancock County, Georgia.
     The following names of children of John and Nancy Hill are shown.
Dolly Hill..........born Jan. or June 1781
Elizabeth Hill.....born May 26, 1783
George Hill.......born March 24, 1785
Dolley Hill.........born June  2, 1787
Nancy Hill........born Jan. 2, 1790
Salley Hill.........born March 12, 1792
Martin Hill........born July 1, 1794
Louis Hill...........born Dec. 15, 1796
Triay Hill...........born Mar. 17, 1803
Henrietta Hill.....born Oct 20, 1806, made affidavit in Hancock County, Georgia in 183?

Abstracted from Revolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116


THOMAS JONES
1820 Hancock County Ga, age 63 yrs
Enlisted as a private under Capt. John Hawkins Low, of the Third Regiment of the Maryland Troops  Feb. 12, 1777 for the term of 3 years or during the war. He served un Capt. Horatio Cleggett of said regiment until Gates defeat and from that time in the First Maryland Regiment until the close of the war, about Nov. 1783. No family data shown.

Abstracted from Revolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116


Seth Kennedy

Born August 14, 1785, Connecticut - Died June 4, 1835, Hancock County, Family Cemetery

Seth Kennedy of Hancock County Georgia, Revolutionary Soldier served in Massachusetts Continental Army and in the Navy during the Revolutionary War.

       A native of Connecticut he enlisted May 10, 1775 in the town of Gageborough(Windsor MA) as a private in Captain Nathan Watkin's company, Colonel John Patterson's regiment. Muster roll dated August 1, 1775.  His service was 2 months, 27 days.

      It is probable he saw the advertisement in Nov. 1778 for  the ship Confederacy that was hiring seaman. The frigate  Confederacy, in dock at New London Connecticut,  with 36 guns was to be ready around the first of the year in 1779 and  was commanded by Captain Seth Harding. According to Kennedy's pension records he was aboard the ship for about a month, when he was appointed corporal.   In September Congress changed the nature of Captain Hardings service and the Confederacy was commissioned to take the Ambassador John Jay, minister to Spain and his family and M. Gerrard,  the late  French Ambassador to France, as well as a letter to Benjamin Franklin.  In addition, the ship was to bring back much needed military stores from France.
      The ship sailed up the Delaware River and anchored at Chester waiting on the ambassador. While there many of the ship's crew,  dissatisfied with this change of venue, deserted. Corporal Kennedy was appointed Master at Arms. While waiting for the arrival of the ambassadors the ship was commanded to go out to sea with and destroy any enemy ships. According to Kennedy they captured a British privateer ship Jane and Elizabeth, a  schooner of 8 guns and an English sloop of 8 guns and returned to Chester.
   Back in port the ship Confederacy left Philadelphia for France in Oct. 25 1779. A storm off the coast of Newfoundland dismasted the ship. By the time they went into port at St-Pierre, Martinique in December there was 6 feet of water in the hold . A number of the crewmen were sick and  Kennedy was promoted to Surgeon's Mate by Dr. James. The ambassadors and family sailed on another  ship to France on Dec 28 in the frigate Aurore, commanded by Captain  Desflottes.  Kennedy remained with the sick onboard the ship until they were carried to a hospital at St. Pierre. The Confederacy arrived back in Philadelphia in May 1780 with a supply of salt, brandy, and dry goods, etc.  He remained there until he got a passage back to Philadelphia in the spring of 1781.
Sources:  American Journal and General Advertiser 3/29/1780; Connecticut Courtant 5-15-1780; Revolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116
 

Asbtracted from Pension Files:
Connecticut Continental and Massachusetts navy
S31789
Widow- Mary Kennedy
Georgia 30.578
Seth Kennedy  decd.
of Hancock County in the State of Georgia who was a private marine in the company of Captain Watkins of the NY commanded by Col. Patterson in the line for 9 months
Conn., Continental, Mass and Navy
Included on the roll of Georgia at the rate of 70 dollars no cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

State of Georgia Hancock County Personally appeared before me James A.R. Kennedy a Justice of the Peace in and for said County.
Seth Kennedy who being duly sworn in in addition to his dispositions before made in relation to his services as soldier during the Revolutionary War. In explanation of his services  while aboard the Confederacy, he states that after the ship Confederacy had been launched for the purpose of going out to sea and while lying at New London
___? presented himself to Captain Seth Hardin,Captain of the ship, who commanded said ship and preceded to enter onboard the services of said ship, provided he could obtain some appointment above that of a marine' the captain being desirous of getting a sufficient number received this deponent on conditions proposed and agreed that the first vacancy which might happen when it was believed that appointment could fill that ?? should receive such appointment.
Deponent entered on board said ship and remained for about one month when the appointment of ship's corporal was given to  deponent. The Confederacy lay at New London about three months from this appointment as near as this deponent could state from his present recollection, being detained in preparation and for the want of men. The captain was compelled to p?? men for the purpose of taking the Confederacy to Philadelphia; she was carried round to Chester? on the Delaware River; after the Confederacy anchors at Chester, this deponent thinks that the vessel was reported to congress, The Confederacy had been intended to go out as a >>for which purpose this deponent and others who had entered the services. Proposals were made congress to change the nature of Captain Harding's services. The American Ambassador for Frances was to be carried to France and the French Ambassador then at Philadelphia was to return to France. The Confederacy was directed to carry them to France from the change os issue proposal for the Confederacy many of the ships crew deserted her whilst lying in wait for Mr. Jay the American Ambassador after arriving at Chester and after deponent had severed as ship corporal three months according to his present recollection. Deponent was while lying  at Chester appointed Master of Arms, Captain Harden in order to divert the man from withdrawing from a >>service which many were unwilling to perform obtained leave to >>> make a short ..while the American Ambassador and the french Ambassador were preparing for their departure. The confederacy made a ...of ..weeks and capture a British privateer called this ship Jane and Elizabeth schooner of 8 gums and an English sloop of 8 guns and returned to Chester. This deponent ..thinks they arrived at Chester in the spring of the year and his belief is that the Confederacy sailed for france about the month of November, (left Sep 1779) that on his way to France said he was dismasted and after being for some time at sea went into harbor at Martinique for the purpose of getting repairs; this deponent )) as matter of arms from ---month from his arrival at Chester until the Confederacy was dismantled the present time he said as matter of {{ he cannot state, he is confident it was four months and upwards, after the Confederacy was dismasted there being many above crippled from the storm and a number sick this deponent was appointed Surgeons mate and the intercession of Doctor James? This deponent supposes that the reason of his appointment of surgeons mate was the number of sick and wants of a p___ Doctor james this deponent served as surgeons mate from that time during the time his -- on board the Confederacy, he thinks they landed at Martinique in the month of December, it was according     to this recollection the spring ___ the Confederacy was refitted so as to return to the United States. The American consul having sailed for France in another ship from Martinique this deponents acted onboard after his arrival according to his recollections five or six weeks when a number of the ships crew who were sick were carried on land to the hospital. The deponent was _ to the hospital to attend to the American sick and their particular request, this deponent was left at Martinique by the Confederacy with abut 20 Americans in the hospital which was according to his recollection one year from his entering on board the Confederacy at New London; he states that he was during this time, three months a ships corporal, four as master of arms and four as Surgeons mate, he remained at Martinique until he got a passage to Philadelphia and arrived there he thinks in the spring __ about one year after this departure of the confederacy from Martinique and about the close of the war. This deponent has stated true as near as he is able to do from the ))? life, of memory, he may fron )? was reported old age and the distant period  mistated____ self confidence he has not misstated the facts. This deponent  to the disposition of Mr. Jay for the time when the Confederacy started to France.  This deponent does not claim any addition __? amount as ships corporal, surgeons mate and master of Arms fro that of a marine, but has stated facts as they occurred and claims to be placed as a marine for the services performed.
Seth Kennedy (s)
Answered, substaned & sworn to before me this 22nd day of August 1834.
James A. R. Kennedy, J.P. (s)

Source: Revolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116
 

Sources:  American Journal and General Advertiser 3/29/1780; Connecticut Courtant 5-15-1780; Revolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116


LLOYD KELLEY

     The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim S.31790, based upon service of Lloyd Kelley in the Revolutionary War.
   While residing in Wilkes County, Georgia, Lloyd Kelley enlisted in the latter part of 1778, served nince months as a private in Captain Ottery's company, commanded by General Pickins and was in the battle of Ca?? Fort and Kettle Creeki; volunteered in Montgomery County, North Carolina the latter part of 1779, served as a trooper at various times under Capans Kimbell, Cole, West Harris, Gilmore and Isaac B. Ross, Colonels Loftin and Hampton, was in the battle of Dorchester, the length of this service about twent-one months.
  The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed Febrary 4 1833, at which time he was a resident of Hancock County, Georga, where he had resided since the Revolution.
  No family data are shown.

Abstracted from Revolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116


MALONE MULLINS

1833. Malone Mullins. age 76, a citizen of Hancock County was a private in the company commanded by Captain Brinkley of Halifax County in the county of Bute of the 3rd Regt. commanded by Col. Alston in North Carolina for 2 years.
Malone Mullins died on the third day of February 1841 in Hancock County Georgia. He was married to Elizabeth Mullins on the 23 January 1783 in Franklin County North Carolina by Brittain Harris Esq.
1848 Elizabeth Mullins, widow
Bible Records:
Marriages
Malone Mullins was married January 23 day in the year 1783
Births
Claborn Mullins was born July the 19 day in 1784
Cloah Mullins was born January the 16 day in the year 1786
Harvey Mullins was born Ocobter the 3rd day in the year 1788
Alsey Mullins was born March the 21st day of 1791
Dred Mullins was born August the 20th d. in the year 1794
Patsey Mullins was born February the 11th day in 1797
Burkly Mullins was born March the 16 day in 1800
Elizabeth W. Mullins was born September the 8 day in 1802

Grave Not Found

Abstracted from Revolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116


TIMOTHY WELLS ROSSETER
Timothy W. Rosseter entered the service sometime in May or June, 1775, while residing in Middletown, Connecticul, and served until the end of that year as surgeon's mate in Colonel John Fellows' Massachusetts regiment. While living in Milford, Connecticut, he was commissioned surgeon's mate January 1, 1776, in Colonel Charles Webb's 19th Regiment of Foot; soon after, he was detailed as surgeon to a squadron of whaleboats stationed on Long Island Sound under the command of Colonel Benjamin Tupper, and served until January 1, 1777, when he resigned. After this, he served on a private armed ship, no details of this service given.
  In 1818, Timothy W. Rosseter was living in Mount Zion, Hancock County, Georgia.

Since the 18th of March 1818, the following changes have taken place in my property, to wit, the death of the only two negroes I possessed. The remainder or my property being as follows, one hundred & five acres of land in said county of Hancock with a small dwelling  and out houses therein. The value of three hundred dollars - one horse of the value of fifty dollars, six head of cattle worth  thirty dollars, sow & pigs & shoats worth twelve dollars, one old gig worth thirty dollars, two walnut tables & wash stand worth twelve dollars, two pine tables & two toilet tables worth four dollars - twelve old chairs worth five dollars, one pine kab. , a small quantity of glass, china & crockery, worth about fifteen dollars - a small lot of tin ware worth about two dollars, three candle stick, two brass lamps worth one dollar & fifty cents - two pair of andirons, shovel & tons, worth about four dollars, a small quantity of kitchen furniture worth ten dollars, two pole-axes of the value of two dollars - a small lot of carpenter's tools of the value of ten dollars - two plows & one ox cart of the value of twenty dollars- fifteen knives & forks & two carving knives of the value of three dollars, two tea trays & two waiters of the value of two dollars, six table cloths  & six towels, three feat (?) irons, one hand bellows, two wash tubs,  one pail and one ?, all of the value of twenty dollars- a small quantity of shop furniture & medicines of the value of twenty five dollars, a small library of books & pamphlets of the value of twenty five dollars. Than he is a physician & surgeon by profession, but incapacitated by age and infirmity for its active participation - That he has no family residing with him but his wife who is also of advanced age & infirm health. That he is unable to state the precise amount of the debts due by him, but he is able to state that he is indebted to one creditor, Joseph Bryan Esquire to a larger amount that the whole value of all the property he possesses and that such debt is due for advance made to him by said Joseph for the purpose of enabling him to get along in the world with comfort to himself & his aged infirm companion & for debts paid by said Joseph to other persons by whom this declarant would have been distressed greatly, but for his kind interception.
Sworn to and declared and subscribed in Open Court this 13th day of March, 1832. Tim. E. Rosseter
1832
Attest
James H. Jones Clk

Buried Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church Cemetery

Abstracted from Revolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116


WILLIAM SHEFFIELD
Private North Carolina. When about the age of 18 he attached himself to Captain William Moore's Company of Colonel Little's
command of continental militia.Were married April 17, 1794 by Jeptha __ a minister of the gospel.
Widow Elizabeth Sheffield. Lived on the county line of Hancock and Baldwin. . He died August 16, 1853 in Hancock County. Elizabeth Sheffield was 75 years old in 1855.
Grave Not Found

Abstracted from Revolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116


BENJAMIN THOMPSON

Benjamin Thompson was born in Bute County, North Carolina about 1758.
  While a resident of Wilkes County, Georgia, be enlisted in March 1778, and served at various times amounting to over three years in all, as private, sergeant, and lieutenant (served as lieutenant but was not commissioned as such) with the Georgia troops under Captains John Ottery, White and Charles Williamson, Colonels Dooley and Micajah Williamson. He was in the battles of Carr's Fort, Kettle Creek, and in the seige of Savannah, in the first siege of Augusta, an din the battle of Blackstocks, and while on a scouting expeiditon was taken prisioner and two months later was retaken by the American Army.
  Benjamin Thompson was allowed pension  on his application executed February 4, 1833, at which time he was living in Hancock  County, Georgia. He moved to Hancock County from Wilkes County and in 1833 he stated that had lived in Georgia over sixty years.
  It was stated that Benjamin Thompson died in March, 1841. It was stated in 1855 that his widow, Lustacia died in September, 1849, and that there were two children then (in 1855) surviving, and are not shown.

Abstracted from Revolutionary War Pension Files, Series: M805  Roll: 116
 
 


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