Revolutionary War



Images contributed by Dave Edwards

Elisha Atkinson

Pension Transcription

John Bone

Pension Transcription

Leroy Brizendine

Aug 24 1832 Sumner County TN Leroy Brizendine age 71 on May 26 last declares he was born in Virginia and resided with his father in Lunenberg County in 1780. In the summer of 1780 he volunteered for six months under Capt Peter Stokes, Lt Flora Smiden and Ens Horatis Walker. This was a company of Volunteers that was raised to operate chiefly against the Tories in North Carolina. They marched to Hillsborough, NC and got a supply of arms there and marched upon Borad River. They scoured that country and captured many tories, whipped some, tied some to trees, and carried 20-25 to Hillsborough jail. They continued doing there duty in North Carolina and in the fall of 1780 marched back and were discharged just before Christmas.

At this time it came his number to serve a 3 month tour in the militia. He entered the service under Capt Frank Degraftenreed, Lt Obey Clayton and Ens. Alexander Rudder. Marched to Portsmouth and joined headquarters under General Muhlenberg. Was attached to a Regiment of Col. Merryweather. They lay there on Dismal Swamp and captured some scouting parties and had some skirmishes. He returned home after the battle of Guilford was fought. As soon as he got home Cornwallis was going up the James River and he volunteered in the infantry under Capt. William Stokes in April 1781. The company was not immediately attached to a regiment but was engaged in collecting beeves. They carried one to Hog Island and Cornwallis took the greater part of them. The American army was stationed at Petersburg under Gen Washington and they carried to Little York during the siege. He was at York when Cornwallis surrendered and was discharged in Oct 1781.

In April 1839, Sumner County TN Lucy Brizendine declares she is widow of Leroy Brizendine who resided in Sumner County TN eleven or twelve years before his death. Leroy died March 23, 1919. Leroy Brizendine of Sumner County TN, Private in the Company of Capt. Stokes in the Virginia Line for fifteen months, was placed on the West Tennessee pension roll at $50 per annum under the Act of 1832. Certificate 7296 was issued March 27, 1833.
NOTE: Leroy C. Stevens, a descendent of Brizendine, married and for a time lived in Muhlenberg County.
Contributed by Rhonda Neumann

Samuel & Sarah Cochran

This pension application consists of over 50 pages. The following is a brief of information contained in the file:
W280, and Sarah. Virginia and Continental Service,
The National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Samuel Cochran, W280, Sarah, Va. & Contl. service, Nashville, Tenn., Agcy.: Cert. 8462 for $104 p.a. from 3 March 1843 and 17 June 1844, iss. 15 Jan 1849, sent Hon. Daniel Graham, Register of the Treasury, to widow of Sam. Cochran, Col. Lewis, Va., Sergt. and Capt. Revolution, died 7 Jan 1842; soldier had received pension on Cert. 6514, Tenn. Agcy., at $104 p.a., Act of 7 June 1832, iss. 28 Feb 1833, sent Hon. W. Hall, H.R.

Samuel Cochran was the son of William Cochran and Jemima, his wife, and was born April 24, 1760, at a place not stated.

Samuel Cochran, when a resident of Henry County, Virginia, enlisted January 14, 1777 as Pvt., 1st Cpl. and 2nd Sergt., in Capt. Henry Conway's company, Col. Charles Lewis and William Davies Virginia Regt.; he was in battles of Brandywine and Germantown, wintered at Valley Forge and was discharged in Summer of 1780. He volunteered at Bedford County, Va., Febr. 1781 in Col. Lynch's Va. Regt., shortly afterwards attached to Col. William Washington's Regt. of Dragoons; was in the battle of Guilford and discharged; again volunteered in Col. Callaway's Va. Regt., and at the siege of Yorktown and discharged.

He applied for a pension on 4 August 1832 when a resident of Sumner County, Tenn., having removed there in 1818. He died 7 January 1842.

Samuel Cochran married 10 August 1784, Sarah Northcutt (or Norcutt); then living near Black Water River, Bedford County, Va., and she was living in Henry County, Va.

Sarah Cochran, widow of Samuel Cochran, living in Sumner County, Tenn., applied for a pension 10 May 1844, when 78 years old.
NOTE: Leroy C. Stevens, a descendent of the Cochrans, married and for a time lived in Muhlenberg County.
Contributed by Rhonda Neumann

William Crabtree

North Carolina, R2421
The above named soldier was living in Muhlenberg Co., KY, when he applied for pension on September 20, 1842, age 85. He states that he was born in Randolph Co., NC in August 1763. He enlisted in Randolph County, NC in August 1778.
In 1822 he resided in Florida. He lived a short time in Randolph Co., NC, then moved to Edgefield Co., SC, then for a short time to Houston Co., GA, and then to Jackson Co., FL. Affidavit of Sarah Knight was made in Christian Co., KY, September 9, 1842, age 89, the widow of Capt. John Knight. She knew him in NC. Affidavit of a fellow soldier by the name of Joseph Newton who knew him made in Muhlenberg Co., KY, September 20, 1842. He knew him from early childhood.
Source: Pension Records of Soldiers in Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Indian Wars, who Settled in Muhlenberg Co., KY. Compiled by Annie Walker Burns Bell, 1935.
Contributed by Dorann O'Neal Lam

William Cross

Virginia R2526
The above named soldier was living in Muhlenberg Co., KY, when he applied for pension on November 26, 1832, age 73. He states that he was born in Elizabeth Co., VA, on June 1, 1759. He enlisted in Sussex Co., VA, 1778. He moved to Kentucky in 1804 from Sussex Co., VA.
Source: Pension Records of Soldiers in Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Indian Wars, who Settled in Muhlenberg Co., KY. Compiled by Annie Walker Burns Bell, 1935.
Contributed by Dorann O'Neal Lam

Albrittain Drake

North Carolina, Rejected W8676
The above named soldier was living in Muhlenberg Co., KY, when he applied for pension on September 29, 1832, age 73. He states that he was born in Edgecomb Co., NC, 1760. He enlisted in 1777. He lived in Edgecomb County until his home became Nash County. He moved from Nash Co., NC to Robertson Co., NC in 1787 and from there to Muhlenberg in 1809. Certified copy of marriage between Silas Drake, son of Albrittain, and Martha Wells, February 11, 1811 was filed.

From Family Bible Record [copied by Lewis Parkes 1828]:

Source: Pension Records of Soldiers in Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Indian Wars, who Settled in Muhlenberg Co., KY. Compiled by Annie Walker Burns Bell, 1935
Contributed by Dorann O'Neal Lam

David Edwards

Pension Transcription

Joshua Elkin

Pension Transcription

Sikes Garris

Pension Transcription

Andrew Glenn

Revolutionary War Pension Application
Andrew Glen/Glenn
Series M805 - Image 467 - File S.30.434 - 9 pp
Jacket: Andrew Glenn of Muhlenberg, State of Kentucky
Declaration In Order to Obtain Benefit of Congress, June 7, 1832
Date of Declaration: 27 August 1832. Andrew Glenn Sr., age 78, entered service in December 1776 under Col. John Piper of Bedford Co., PA, and Capt. William McLeary, 1st Lieut. John Wilson, 2nd Lieut. Alexander McCormack; entered as a volunteer. After expiration of his time he again entered service and served in the Indian War until end of war.
Where did he reside when he entered service: Bedford Co., PA
“I was born in Ireland in the County of Antrim, came to United States when very young. I have no record of my age, I lived in Bedford County until it was divided and called Huntingdon, on the Juniata River. I removed to Bourbon County, KY, in 1790, remained there till January 1802 then came to Muhlenberg County where I now reside.” Signed by mark.
Affidavits were made by Isaac Bard, a clergyman, and Charles F. Wing.
Department of Interior Form, Record Division, Bureau of Pensions, DC
Dates of Enlistment(s):
First: December 1776 - Length of Service: - 4 Months - Rank: Private
Second: Soon after discharge entered service for four years and 8 months and served as an Indian Spy.
Note on bottom of page: “His two brothers were drafted also. No names.”

John Harper

Pension Transcription

Nathan Harper

Four images of pension application:
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4

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 again entered service in the Spring of 1777 in Cumberland Co., PA, under Capt. James Byrns as a substitute for his father, John Roll. He was engaged in Packhouse service at Pittsburgh. He was marched to Fredericktown when discharged in September or October of 1777.
His last tour of duty began in April 1778 as the substitute for a person whose name he was not able to remember. He served under Capt. Alexander for two months and was discharged at Old Town.
Frequently he served as a scout against the Indians in Cumberland and Huntingdon counties. He was engaged in this service June-October 1778, serving afterwards as a volunteer.
Michael Roll signed his name with an “X” and this was witnessed by Solomon Rhoads, JP.
He had lost all his discharge papers and knew no one who could verify his service.
Simeon Vaught, a clergyman, and Thomas Howerton, both residing in Muhlenberg County, certified they were well acquainted with Michael Roll and verified his age as 71. They believed he was a soldier of the Revolution.
Michael Roll stated under oath that he was born in the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1762 but had no record of his birth. He lived in Frederick Co., MD when he entered service. From there his father moved to Cumberland Co., PA. He continued to reside in PA until 1797 when he moved to Hardin Co., KY, residing there until 1832 when he moved to Muhlenberg County where he now resides.
Contributed by Dorann O'Neal Lam

Thomas Tetterton

North Carolina, R10473
The above named soldier was living in Muhlenberg Co., KY, when he applied for pension on August 27, 1832, age 72. He states that he was born in Terrell Co., NC, in October 1762. He enlisted in Lincoln Co., NC, 1780. In 1797 he moved from Lenoir County to Duplin County, same state, and in 1803 he went to Muhlenberg County.
His wife, whose maiden name was Anna Higgins, applied for a pension in Muhlenberg Co., KY, on April 3, 1852, age 93. They were married in Wayne Co., NC, on January 5, 1790.

Bible Record:

Source: Pension Records of Soldiers in Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Indian Wars, who Settled in Muhlenberg Co., KY. Compiled by Annie Walker Burns Bell, 1935.
Contributed by Dorann O'Neal Lam

Frederick Unsell

Frederick Unsel or Unsell. Jane Masters Unsell
Pension Application W.22472
Frederick Unsell was born 25 August 1765 in Frederick Co., MD and moved with his parents (not named) about 1770 to Little Wheeling for a short time. His father died and his mother moved to what later became Washington Co., PA, where she married a second time to Peter Kitchel or Kitchello [Contributor's note: probably Kincheloe].

Subject lived near Wheeling in Washington Co., PA, at enlistment & after the Revolution. He served under Genl. St. Clair in 1791; and in 1788 or 1789, soldier was living in Harrison Co., VA, returned briefly to Washington County, and about 1790-1 returned to Harrison County with his wife for 3 or 4 years, later moved to Miami Co., OH, then moved to Muhlenberg Co., KY, then moved to the White River in IN then moved to Clark Co., IL, where he applied 2 December 1833 having lived there 11 years.

Unsell died in Clark Co., IL 11 September 1835.

Unsell married Jane Masters 6 December 1789 in Washington Co., PA. She was born 17 March 1772. She applied for widow's benefits 10 October 1840 Clark Co., IL & she was there in 1848.

Frederick and Jane Unsell had 13 children:

In 1841 a Stephen Oxendine made affidavit in Clark Co., IL, and was “connected” to Frederick Unsell's family.
Revolutionary War Pension Abstracts by Virgil White
Contributed by Dorann O'Neal Lam

William Young

Virginia, S14913
The above named soldier was living in Muhlenberg Co., KY, when he applied for pension on August 27, 1832, age 77. He enlisted in Fauquier Co., VA, in the Spring of 1777. He moved to Nelson Co., KY, in 1782 and resided there till 1805 when he moved to Muhlenberg.
Source: Pension Records of Soldiers in Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Indian Wars, who Settled in Muhlenberg Co., KY. Compiled by Annie Walker Burns Bell, 1935.
Contributed by Dorann O'Neal Lam