Category Archives: American Revolutionary War

Civil War in the Kanawha Valley: Ruffner Memorial Park (2019)

29 Tuesday Oct 2019

Posted by in African American History, American Revolutionary War, Cemeteries, Civil War

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Terry Lowry is THE authority on the Civil War in the Kanawha Valley. Stop 2 on his tour: Ruffner Memorial Park in Charleston, WV. 29 September 2019. Here is a link to Terry’s latest book, The Battle of Charleston (2016): https://wvcivilwar.com/now-available-the-battle-of-charleston/

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Kanawha Riflemen: “Hometown Boys in Gray.” 29 September 2019

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Kanawha Riflemen Memorial at Ruffner Memorial Park. In 1831, Joseph Ruffner deeded this cemetery to the city. In 1920, the site became a city park. Some graves were relocated but many are still here with their headstones buried beneath the surface. The UDC memorial was placed in 1922. 29 September 2019

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Thomas Bullitt grave. Ruffner Memorial Park. In 1776, George Washington wrote of him: “Bullet (sic) is no favourite of mine, & therefore I shall say nothing more of him, than that his own opinion of himself always kept pace with what others pleas’d to think of him—if any thing, rather run a head of it.” 29 September 2019

John Breckinridge Once Owned Logan, WV (1937)

23 Saturday Feb 2019

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Logan, Native American History

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of information about Logan’s early history printed on April 26, 1937:

Land On Which City Of Logan Now Stands First Owned by Breckinridge

The tract of land on which the city of Logan now stands and the Island–now “Hatfield’s Island”–once belonged to John Breckinridge, scion of an old Kentucky family and leader of the attacking party which broke the control of the Shawnee Indians in the Guyandotte valleys in the “Battle of the Islands.”

Princess Aracoma was killed in this battle and Boling Baker, her renegade white husband, was banished forever from the lush river valley where he had spent his days since his desertion from the English forces in Virginia.

Captain Breckenridge led the attack which made the valley safe for white settlers, and, in appreciation of his services, the new government allowed him 300 acres at the mouth of Island creek.

The land grant was made early in the 1780s along with a few others on Island Creek, Dingess Run, Gilbert Creek, Big Creek and the Spruce Fork of Cole River.

Surveying parties from Montgomery and Washington county, Virginia, braved the wilderness and apportioned the land in Guyan Valley and vicinity to early Indian fighters who had contributed their services to opening the valley for white settlement.

Included in the surveys made by deputy surveyors from Montgomery county were grants apportioning much of Island Creek, Spruce Fork, and Dingess Run to persons whose names are still remembered in the county has holders of much of this county’s land.

In these early surveys Andrew Lewis was given 3000 acres on Island Creek along with 2000 acres on Big Creek, and 3000 acres on Gilbert Creek.

Thomas Madison was given 2000 acres on Spruce Fork, 1000 acres on Dingess Run, and 2000 acres on Gilbert Creek.

Others who figured in this early allocation of land were Elizabeth Madison, who was given much of Spruce Fork; George Booth, who was awarded several thousand acres along Guyan River and on Island Creek; and George Booth [same name listed twice in this story], who received much of the land along Island Creek.

Later in the waning years of the 19th century other grants were made by the new government with the stipulation that settlement be made immediately, but these early grants were rewards for work well done in opening the valley of the Guyandotte for settlement.

Chief Logan (1937)

01 Friday Feb 2019

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Guyandotte River, Native American History

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history for Chief Logan, printed in 1937:

Family of Chief Logan Was Brutally Murdered After Battle of Pt. Pleasant

Chief Logan, the Cayuga Indian leader who was an important figure in the Indian Confederation in the early days of the Revolutionary war and for whom the city of Logan was named, was an instrument in the hands of Governor Dunmore, appointed by the English Parliament to conduct the affairs of the 13 colonies.

The family of Chief Logan was brutally murdered soon after the battle of Point Pleasant on October 10, 1774, in order to incite to new acts of murder and rapine the Indians whose order for fighting the courageous white settler was beginning to wane.

In the Battle of Point Pleasant the Indian Confederacy, commanded by Chief Cornstalk faced the white settlers under General Andrew Lewis and got a taste of the treatment they might expect in event England and the Colonies went to war with themselves on the side of the mother country.

Dr. Connelly, a deputy of Governor Dunmore, realized that the Indian desire for white scalps was somewhat satiated by the battle of Point Pleasant and the tribes were once gain becoming interested in their everyday life of hunting and shing. In order to offset this feeling of contentment, Dr. Connelly employed the English trader named Greathouse to incite the Indians to new acts of bloodshed.

Trader Greathouse knew of the popularity of the Cayuga chief Logan and rightly judged that an injustice done him would be an injustice to the majority of the tribes of the Confederacy.

Greathouse well-versed in the Indian situation west of the Alleghenies set out to the greatest harm to the Indians in the shortest time and chose the family of Chief Logan as the best possible victims of a white man’s outrage, knowing full well that Dr. Connelly had chosen a colonist well-known to the Indians to hold the “bag.”

The trader, posing as a representative of the English government, gained admittance to Chief Logan’s camp deep in the wilds of the Alleghenies while the latter was away on a hunting expedition. At an opportune moment when he knew that he would not be detected, Greathouse entered Chief Logan’s family circle of tepees and murdered the squaw and the Chief’s favorite children.

When the outrage was discovered by the braves, Greathouse, by instruction from Connelly, told of seeing a white Army officer’s horse near the camp that night before but though it to be of a courier. The unsuspecting braves took the explanation as good and allowed Greathouse to leave soon afterward.

Chief Logan returned from his hunting trip, found his family murdered and demanded retribution from the English.

Dr. Connelly definitely fixed the murder on a Captain Cresap, who at the time of the slaying was at his home in Maryland.

This, however, was enough for Chief Logan. A colonist, a member of the paleface band with whom a treaty had been made following the battle of Point Pleasant, had violated the trust. He returned to his Confederacy and began the work that Governor had anticipated.

The Indian tribes began new raids on the white settlers homes in the West and sufficiently retarded organization of a settlers’ regiment to allow Dunmore to make new inroads on the angry colonists in the East who were laying plans which culminated in the rebellion in 1776.

Dunmore’s strategy triumphed and probably held up the Revolution for at least a year.

Logan (WV) Banner, 19 April 1937

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Life of Chief Logan Is An Interesting Narrative

Indian Chief Was Peaceful Until Massacre Of Family At Pt. Pleasant Changed Him To A Veritable Devil; Father Was French

Logan, chief of the Mingos, stands out as a romantic figure in the history of Indian warfare of this section.

His was a tragic role player on the shifting stage of border warfare between the white settlers who were attempting to penetrate the “wilderness” and the Indian tribes who were attempting to cling to their priority rights in this section before being pushed farther westward to the plains.

Logan was his place in history as an orator as well as a famed Indian warrior.

He was a true friend of the white man until, through the machinations of the English in an effort to incite the Indians to further bloodshed, his family was killed by a treacherous white trader named Greathouse.

Logan’s father was a French child who was captured by the Indians and adopted by the Oneida tribe that inhabited Eastern Pennsylvania and Western New York.

When he grew to manhood, he was possessed not only of a commanding stature, but of all the arts, wiles, traits, and characteristics endowed by nature and intellect to an Indian warrior.

By virtue of these he became chief of the tribe of the Susquehannas, who made their home in the Susquehanna valley of Pennsylvania.

The mother of Logan was a Mingo, or Cayuga, which tribe was a derelict branch of the Iroquois and the Six Great Nations.

It is believed that the influence of Logan’s mother on her son caused him to have attitude of tolerance and friendship toward the whites. Whether he husband influenced her sentiments for the whites is not definitely known.

As a matter of fact it was she who christened her son, the great and mighty warrior, “Logan,” in honor of James Logan, who was then secretary for Pennsylvania.

Logan’s Indian name was Tah-gah-jute, meaning “the young and mighty warrior.”

He was after a time chosen chief of the Mingo tribe of this section. As chief of the Mingos he was slow to anger, indulgent, considerate, and dealing in a kindly manner with those who dealt kindly with him.

Chief Logan married an Indian maiden whose name is not recorded. He reared a family in territory of the Guyandotte watershed and was relatively happy, living at peace, with man, until the English changed him from a peaceful Indian to a veritable devil by having massacred his family at a camp in the Ohio.

The stories of Chief Logan’s campaign against the white man after the atrocious murder of his family is recorded in history and tradition.

He lived to see his beloved hunting grounds desecrated by the white man and died a broken-hearted old chieftain somewhere in a camp on the Ohio.

A bronze replica of the mighty warrior has been erected in front of the courthouse at Williamson in memory of the Mingo chief. Logan and Logan county has honored his name by taking it for themselves.

Logan (WV) Banner, 1 May 1937

Harrison Blair Was Early Sheriff in Logan County, WV (1937)

12 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Battle of Blair Mountain, Logan, Williamson

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about Harrison Blair, an early sheriff in Logan County, WV:

Harrison Blair Was First Democrat Sheriff In Logan

Son of Namesake Of Town Of Blair Served Shortly After Civil War; Democrats Held Office Continuously Until 1924

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John Blair, namesake of the little mining town which nestles at the foot of Blair Mountain on the headwaters of Laurel Fork, was the father of Logan county’s first Democratic sheriff.

He was a native of Powells Valley in Virginia and first settled just above the present site of Williamson. He married Polly Baisden and later settled near his father-in-law, Jean Schmidt Baisden, at the Mouth of Laurel.

Blair died in 1860 after rearing a family of three sons and three daughters. His son, Harrison, was Logan county’s first Democratic sheriff after the Civil War.

Harrison was married twice. He first married a Miss Johnson and later a Miss Chafin. His brothers Anderson and Joe married McCoy sisters and made their home near their brother and father on Laurel Fork.

Jean Schmidt Baisden, father-in-law to John Blair, was one of the first settlers at the Mouth of Laurel. He came with Lafayette to America and served under him during the Revolution.

After the war he located at Richmond, Va., and then moved to Reeds Island, New York, where he married a Miss Burnham. At the beginning of the 19th century he moved to the mouth of Laurel and reared a family.

He had three sons and two daughters. His sons were Joseph, who married Lucinda Osborne; Solomon, who married Mary Chafin; and Edward, who married Susan Bennett.

His daughters were Polly, who married Harrison Blair; and Frances, who married Thomas Copley.

John Blair’s daughters were Mahulda, who married Anderson Dempsey; Chlorina, who married John McCoy; and Rhoda, who married Moses Parsley.

The Blairs and Baisdens are a well-known family on the Laurel Fork side of Blair Mountain, though few have crossed the divide and settled on the Guyan river watershed.

Early county history has it that the Blairs were active politically in the county following the Civil War, but no definite facts can be found of individuals holding any official position other than Harrison, who was the first of a long line of Democratic sheriffs, which ruled the county up until 1924, when the Republicans broke the power of Democrats and began their regime which ended in 1932.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 4 May 1937.

Jackson’s Mill (2015)

27 Thursday Sep 2018

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Civil War, Lincoln County Feud, Native American History

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Years ago, I attended Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Academy (10th grade) and the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State (11th grade) here at Jackson’s Mill in Lewis County, WV. 29 August 2015. Photo by Mom.

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Jackson’s Mill is the boyhood home of Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. 29 August 2015.

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Jackson’s Mill. Original owned by West Virginia University Archives.

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Jackson’s Mill Historic Area Map. 29 August 2015.

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Mary Conrad Cabin/The General’s Store. William Rohrbough constructed the front in 1845; George Conrad constructed the back after 1855. 29 August 2015.

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Mary Conrad Cabin/The General’s Store. Future U.S. presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley reportedly visited the cabin at its original location. 29 August 2015.

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Mary Conrad Cabin/The General’s Store. Dove tail notching. 29 August 2015.

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Mary Conrad Cabin/The General’s Store. Love the dogtrot feature! 29 August 2015.

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Mary Conrad Cabin/The General’s Store. BOOK MEETS LOG CABIN. I enjoy seeing the book with logs. 29 August 2015.

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McWhorter Cabin. Built after 1793 by Revolutionary War veteran Henry McWhorter of New Jersey, this 18′ X 24′ cabin offers an internal chimney as protection from attacks by Native Americans. It was used as a home, church, school, and post office. 29 August 2015.

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McWhorter Cabin. Note the square notching. 29 August 2015.

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McWhorter Cabin. 1793 pioneer cabin meets 1889 feud history. 29 August 2015. Photo by Mom.

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Jackson’s Mill. 29 August 2015.

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Jackson’s Mill, 1837. 29 August 2015.

Aracoma Memorial in Logan, WV (1936)

22 Saturday Sep 2018

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Logan, Native American History

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Aracoma Memorial at the Logan Courthouse, Logan, WV. 18 May 2017.

Princess Aracoma Memorial Given to the Public by D.A.R. Chapter is Formally Unveiled and Dedicated

The monument to Princess Aracoma was dedicated yesterday afternoon by the local chapter of the D.A.R. which bears her name, with a brief ceremony in which the romantic history of the chief of the first tribe known to have settled in this vicinity was reviewed.

The dedication service took place at 4:30 o’clock at the northeast corner of the courthouse, and was opened with an assembly bugle call by Boy Scout Edwin Goodwin. Rev. M.R. Atkinson led in prayer and Jimmy Browning gave the salute to the flag.

Mrs. S. Elmer McDonald, regent of Aracoma chapter, presided, saying, “We have gathered here to honor Princess Aracoma, an Indian princess who with her tribe first settled in this valley.”

W.C. Turley, whom Mrs. McDonald introduced as the descendant of one of the oldest families of the county gave a talk reviewing the traditional settling of the Indians in this vicinity.

“I think it striking evidence of patriotism for your Princess Aracoma chapter to place this monument in memory of Princess Aracoma,” he said.

Mr. Turley said that Princess Aracoma was born somewhere between 1740 and 1745, the daughter of Cornstalk, chief of the Shawnee Indians, who was killed in the first land battle of the Revolution.

“When the princess was a young girl she interceded in behalf of Boling Baker, a white soldier who had deserted from the British army and had been captured by her tribe. Through her plea his life was spared and he was initiated into the tribe.

“According to the Indian custom, when Princess Aracoma became of age she was given a portion of the tribe to settle under her leadership in new hunting grounds, and chose the island first settled in this territory. Shortly after settling in their new home, the Princess and Boling Baker were married at a large ceremony attended by Cornstalk and other chiefs.

“The tribe lived happily and prospered until, in 1776, a plague struck them taking many of their members including all of the children of the princess and her white husband.

“Baker, seeking to replenish the goods of the tribe went with some scouts to a settlement on the Bluestone river, where, posing as an escaped captive, he gained the confidence of the settlers. Then one night he led his scouts in a raid on the camp, stealing their horses and provisions.

“The sheriff of Montgomery county, of which Logan was then a part, designated Col. Breckenridge and Gen. Madison to lead a force of 90 men to seek revenge on the Indians. In the ensuing battle, which took place near where the power plant now stands, Princess Aracoma was killed.

“According to tradition, she was buried somewhere in the vicinity where the Aracoma Hotel and Harris Funeral Home now stand. Skeletons and Indian burial pieces were unearthed when the excavation for these buildings was made.”

At the close of Mr. Turley’s address, the monument was unveiled by Mrs. Lyle Burdette and Mrs. C.A. Davis.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 28 October 1936.

NOTE: This article incorrectly references the Battle of Point Pleasant as part of the American Revolutionary War.

“Revolutionary” John Mullins Grave in Clintwood, VA (2018)

15 Saturday Sep 2018

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Big Creek, Cemeteries

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“Revolutionary John” Mullins, sometimes nicknamed “Buttin’ John,” is buried near the intersection of Mullins Avenue and McClure Street in Clintwood, Dickenson County, VA. To reach his grave, park at Johnson’s Chevrolet on McClure Street and walk up the hill. Signs will direct you to the cemetery. 25 August 2018.

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Up this way. You will pass a residence to the right of the road leading up to the cemetery. 25 August 2018.

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Straight ahead… 25 August 2018.

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Along the way, I found this old gun piece. 25 August 2018.

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John Mullins grave, 25 August 2018. John is the father of “Money Makin’ Sol” Mullins, who settled on North Fork of Big Creek near the Logan-Boone county line of West Virginia.

“Holly Creek” John Mullins Grave in Clintwood, VA (2018)

03 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Big Harts Creek, Cemeteries

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Dickenson County Courthouse in Clintwood, VA.  THIS IS MULLINS COUNTRY. Placed at its front is a large plaque commemorating John Mullins, Sr. (father to “Holly Creek John”), who served in the Revolutionary War. 25 August 2018.

Holly Creek John Mullins Historic Marker

“Holly Creek John” received his nickname because he settled on Holly Creek, near the courthouse. Clintwood is located in the head of Holly Creek.

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Behind the Clintwood Baptist Church on High Street is the grave of “Holly Creek John” Mullins, son of John and Jane (Bailey) Mullins. There’s really no place to park along this narrow street, so you have to park at the Sleep Inn and Suites Hotel and walk back up the hill just a bit. 25 August 2018.

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Up this way! These steps literally connect to High Street — parking right here is not really an option! 25 August 2018.

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Straight ahead. For more information about the grave and cemetery, follow this link: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64659784/john-mullins

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John and Ollie (Cox) Mullins grave, located in Clintwood, Dickenson County, VA. Their daughter Jane married Peter Mullins and settled on Harts Creek in Logan County, WV. 25 August 2018.

West Virginia Once Part of Iroquois Domain (1927)

21 Tuesday Aug 2018

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Native American History

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about the Iroqouis and West Virginia dated October 7, 1927:

West Virginia Part of Iroquois Domain

Confederation of Five Nations, Pledged to Peace, Endured For Two Centuries — Hiawatha One of Founders — Vast Indian Drama Told By Andrew P. Price, “Sage of Marlinton.”

You keep hearing of the Shawnees who overran this country prior to the Revolutionary War, and you keep hearing of them to the east and then to the west. You know that when 72 men went from this (Greenbrier) valley to fight them at the mouth of Kanawha, that they were living in Chillicothe.

The mystery of the Shawnee being to the east and then to the west is explained as follows:

When the whites first began to record history the Shawnees were far to the south and were split into two tribes. One lived on the Atlantic seaboard, around Savannah, and the other west of the mountains in the Tennessee country. They were forced north by their enemies and they were sometime after that found with towns at Winchester, in the valley of Virginia, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and in other places in Pennsylvania, while those from the Cumberland basin in Tennessee came north into Ohio. The eastern tribe moved first and no doubt the communicating road between the settlements at Winchester and eastern Pennsylvania traversed West Virginia. They would have to cross Seneca Trail, or Warrior’s Road, and the military town of Mingo Flats lay in their line of travel and that is the occasion of the corrupting of that place and making the garrison traitor to the Five Nations.

The whole of the Appalachia Range of mountains was owned, policed and controlled by the Iroquois or Five Nations. This was the highest type of Indian north of the Rio Grande. For centuries they held a commanding position, their country extending from the mouth of the St. Lawrence river, west on both sides to the Great Lakes and turning there took all the mountain country as far south as Georgia, and they had at least 50 towns along the way from north to south. History deals more with the Mohawks around New York, but the westernmost part in which we live was occupied and kept by the Senecas. The list of the Iroquois or Five Nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondago, Cayuga and Seneca. When the Tuscaroras came in in 1726 they were called the Six Nations.

Government Older Than Ours

This conference lasted for more than two centuries and was perhaps the most notable government ever set up by savages. They are the Indians that James Fennimore Cooper wrote about and they are entitled to every bit of praise that he gives them. They had a council that was noted for its dignity, faith, and ability. The kinds of Europe sent ambassadors to that council for many generations which made treaties, and it was well known in the London of that day as the American Congress is now. The Nations early agreed with the whites to allow the Europeans to settle and thrive on the Atlantic seaboard and they, the Five Nations, kept the mountains and western part of their countries.

Probably the first fraud practiced on the Five Nations was the Greenbrier Colony grant of 100,000 acres on waters that flowed into the Ohio, and this was held up for more than 30 years and only matured after the colonies had gained their independence. It is evident that it was first granted on the mistake of fact, that is, that the Greenbrier, like the Jackson River, flowed into the Atlantic.

Hiawatha an Organizer

The formation of the Five Nations was accomplished about the history the year 1750 and was the work of two Indians of great fame, Dekanawida and Hiawatha. The name of Hiawatha is famous by reason of Longfellow’s poem, but it does not contain a single fact of the history of Hiawatha. The two Indians posed as medicine men and magicians and spent their lives to bring about the league to promote peace and to end war. At the time they commenced their work, war was the religion of the tribes. Hiawatha was a Mohawk, and at times the Mohawks were cannibals. The two Indians traveled from council to council, proposing the scheme of the league to promote peace, and it was debated on the council fires, and it encountered the most bitter opposition. The name of the tyrant Ototarha comes down in history as the most formidable opponent to the peace makers.

The first success they had was to make it unlawful to prosecute family feuds and murders generally. For every murder the killer was required to pay the family of the dead man ten strings of wampum, as the value of a human life. Later the law was amended to require the payment of an additional ten strings of wampum, on the construction that the first payment was compensatory, and the second string to take the place of the life of the murderer which was forfeited under the old law to the blood kin of the slain man.

In time the confederation was formed. First by the Mohawk, Cayuga and Oneida. Then the Onondaga came in and last, the Senecas came in with reservations, and plenty of them. The Senecas refused to disband their armies and were thereupon made the police force of the Iroquois nations, and kept to themselves the department of war and foreign affairs. They gave up murder and cannibalism but clung to their military life.

The league got along pretty well until the introduction of fire-water and gunpowder. After that it was hard to keep the peace. The end of the league of the Iroquois came when they joined the British to fight the colonists. They came out of the Revolutionary War, doomed, and most of the survivors moved into Canada, though some are still to be found on the reservations in the State of New York.

Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY (2018)

04 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Big Sandy Valley, Civil War, Huntington, Inez

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Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

IMG_5822 Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018. Photo by Mom.

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Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018. Photo by Mom.

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Lewis Dempsey Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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William McCoy Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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County Named (1870) Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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Dr. Henry L. Clay Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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James Ward Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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William B. Ward Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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U.S. Coast Guard Geodetic Survey Bench Mark, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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Old Jail, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

Thomas Farley Last Will and Testament (1796)

21 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by in African American History, American Revolutionary War, Montgomery County

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During a recent visit to the Montgomery County Courthouse in Christiansburg, Virginia, I viewed the Last Will and Testament of my great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather Thomas Farley (c.1730-1796). Thomas was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War.

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In the Name of God Amen

I Thomas Farley of the County of Montgomery and State of Virginia being sick in Body but of a good and sound memory calling to mind the uncertain estate of this Temporary(?) life and knowing that all flesh must yield to death when it shall pleas God to call. I commit my soul to almighty God that give it and my Body to be buryed as my Friends Shall See cause. In the first place I desire as much of my Estate may be sold as shall pay all my Just debts, Such things as my Dear wife shall think fit. Secondly I give and bequeath to my Dear wife three Negros and all my Pertional estate to dispose of as she Shall See fit and Likewise all Bonds Notes and demands. In the third place I give and Bequeath unto my Dear Sons Such Lands and I have heretofore given them agreeable to Such lines as I have directed and this I believe to be my Last Will and Testament this thirty first day of  May one thousand seven hundred and ninety six.

Thomas Farley

Signed and Sealed

In the presence

Test

John Kirk

John Farley

?Winney Thomp (her mark)?

I also leave Gordon Cloyd and John Kirk my true(?) Friend as Executors

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NOTE: Henry Farley, pioneer settler of Logan County, WV, is the son of Thomas Farley.

George Fry Last Will and Testament (1793)

07 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Montgomery County

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During a recent visit to the Montgomery County Courthouse in Christiansburg, Virginia, I viewed the Last Will and Testament of my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather George Fry (c.1725-1793).

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In the Name of God, Amen: I George Fry of the County of Montgomery and State of Virginia, Farmer, Being very sick and weak in Body But of Perfect Mind and Memory thanks Begiven unto God for his Mercy Calling unto Mind the Mortality of my Body, and Knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die; do Make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament that is to say Principally and first of all I give and Recommend my Soul into the Hand of Almighty God that gave it. My Body I Recommend to the Earth to be Buried in Decent Christian Buriel at the Discretion of my Executors Nothing Doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall Receive the same again by the Mighty Power of God. And as Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God To bless me in this Life I give Devise and Dispose of the same in the Following Manner and Form, First I give and Bequeath to Anna Fry, my Dearly Beloved Wife one Mare and Two Cows, her Choice out of My Stock to be her own Right and Property to Dispose of as She Shall think Proper…

Also I give and Bequeath to Ann Fry my Dearly beloved Wife for Dureing the time she Continues my Widow My Dwelling Houses and Household Furniture With Five Head of Sheep and My Stock of Swine and my insuing Crop, also the Present Meet and Grain which is provided for Family Use and My Garden and Meadow and Meadow Orchard Likewise the Sixth part of Grain which is Raised on the said Land For During her Widowhood Continuence on the Sd. place. Then on leaving the Sd. place or at her Decease the Sd. property to be Equally Divided Between my Four Daughers…

Also I give and Bequeath to George Fry My Beloved Son all My Iron Tools and Two Suits of Cloaths, To Dispose of as he Shall think proper…

Also I give and Bequeath to Barbary Eley Two Cows to Dispose of as she shall think proper…

Also I give and Bequeath to Susanna Byars Two Cows to Dispose of as she shall Think proper…

Also I give and Bequeath the Balance of my property to my Dearly Beloved Daughters viz Mary Adkins, Chaty. Eley, Barbary Eley, Susanna Byars to be Equally Divided  Then to Despose of as they shall think proper…

And I do Hereby Utterly Disallow Revoke and Disannul all and Every Other Former Testaments Wills Legacies Bequests and Confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament, In Witness whereof I have here unto set my Hand and seal this Twenty Seventh Day of March in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety three–

George Fry (My Mark)

Signed sealed and published pronounced and Declared by the Sd. George Fry, as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us in his presence & in the presence of Each other have Here unto Subscribed our Names…

Charles Duncan

Joseph Benlay

Thomas Kirk

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Source: Wills Box 1791-1799, Circuit Clerk’s Office, Montgomery County Courthouse, Christiansburg, VA.

Note: I descend from George Fry through his granddaughter Mary (Fry) Lucas and his grandson John Fry, who settled in present-day Lincoln County, WV. John and another granddaughter Susannah (Fry) Adkins are buried near my residence.

Sons of the American Revolution (2017)

22 Wednesday Nov 2017

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I recently had the honor to present a lecture titled “Our Overmountain Men: A Brief Overview of the Revolutionary War in Western Virginia (1775-1783)…and what it means for us today” to the Daniel Boone Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution at the West Virginia State Archives in Charleston, WV. Here’s a link to the lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnJFqADwCpA

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Many thanks to the Sons of the American Revolution, Daniel Boone Chapter, for inviting me to speak at the West Virginia State Archives and History Library in Charleston, WV, on November 18, 2017. Here I am with John Blair (center) and chapter president Rick Greathouse (right). For more about Mr. Greathouse, follow this link: http://wvssar.org/compatriot-greathouse-receives-wv-history-hero-award/

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The Daniel Boone Chapter presented me with a certificate of appreciation. 18 November 2017. The Daniel Boone Chapter was established in 1946. For more information about the chapter, follow this link: http://wvssar.org/chapters/daniel-boone/

History of Coal (1927)

29 Sunday Oct 2017

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Coal

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this story dated April 5, 1927:

The greatest antiquity of the Aryan race historically established runs back to from four to five thousand years ago. The language of the Aryans was Sanskrit, and from this language comes the word coal, from the original word “jual” meaning “to burn.” In the Bible coal or coals means the embers of charred or reddened burnt or burning wood. Our present day bituminous and anthracite coal was unknown to the ancients, at least as a fuel, says the Chicago Journal of Commerce.

The general fuel inspector of the New York Central Lines, Malcolm MacFarlane, has been doing research work in the history of bituminous and anthracite coal. While it seems probable that coal came into limited use in the Iron Age about 1000 B.C. the earliest authentic record show that it was used in Greece in 300 B.C. In England it was in use in A.D. 852. Mr. MacFarlane says: “Our ancestors of that day were very suspicious of this new fuel, with heavy black smoke and pungent odors. Fears prevailed that the public health was affected, and so widespread did these become that the English King prohibited the mining of coal entirely. The same condition obtained in France, and it was the middle of the thirteenth century before coal came into general use in Paris.”

First coal discovery in this country came from the town of Ottawa on the Illinois River in 1679, with mining operations beginning seventy years later twelve miles above Richmond, Va. Coal was in general use there twenty-five years later in 1775, and was used in making guns for the patriot army of the Revolutionary War. Later, coal showings were found along the Ohio River in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. In the Northwest, General Fremont reported coal in Wyoming in 1843. In 1879 coal was uncovered in Montana. In the Pomeroy Bend, coal had been mined for more than a hundred years. A coal bank was opened there in 1819. In 1808 at Coalport in the above bend of the river attempts were made to export coal, but were unsuccessful. In 1832 a thousand bushels of Pomeroy coal was shipped in ___ on a flatboat to New Orleans. The field has been a great producer ever since.

Anthracite was discovered in America in 1763, but was not burned ____ to a ____ until 1803.

[cropped]

ever up to that time been placed under the governorship of one man.

Cadillac and LaSalle were both possessed of that spirit which fights against seemingly insurmountable odds. They were leaders. Both visioned the establishment of a vast empire in the West. Their achievements formed the backbone of American development. They were dreamers, and then, with never-ending zeal, strove to realize their dreams.

LaSalle was more the restless discoverer, constantly venturing into some new hazardous undertaking. Cadillac was the colonizer, with a practical and commercial mind. His business and trading ability made the settlement at Detroit a financial success.

Source: “New Data on the History of Coal is Uncovered by MacFarlane, Research Worker,” Logan (WV) Banner, 5 April 1927.

Note: For more information about Pomeroy coal, follow this link: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/OHMEIGS/2006-07/1152225240

Giles County Courthouse in Pearisburg, VA (2017)

09 Saturday Sep 2017

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Civil War, Giles County

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Giles County Courthouse. August 2017.

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Pearisburg Historical Marker. August 2017.

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Revolutionary War Memorial at Giles County Courthouse. August 2017. Several of my ancestors are listed on this memorial. Photo by Mom.

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Pearisburg, VA. August 2017.

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Pearisburg, VA. August 2017.

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Capt. George Pearis. August 2017.

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“Action at Giles Court House,” by Kathryn Delaney (2006). August 2017.

William Lucas, Revolutionary War Veteran of Giles County, VA

20 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Big Creek, Giles County, Native American History

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William Lucas was born on 25 July 1749 to Charles and Kathleen Lucas in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He married Margaret Elizabeth Price. They lived on Sinking Creek in present-day Giles County, Virginia. Lucas served in the American Revolutionary War (see pension records below). He was my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather. I descend through two of his grandsons, David Price Lucas (born c.1811) and William R. Lucas (born 1825).

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Pension Application of William Lucas (R6507 VA)

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Logan County November the 9th 1832

We the undersigned Justices of the peace for the County of Logan and State of Virginia, do hereby certify, that at the request of William Lucas, who from age and infirmity, is at present unable to attend at the courthouse of said County; We attended at the house of his son where he now lives; And he the said William Lucas, being duly Sworn, according to Law, made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress in favour of revolutionary soldiers, passed on the 7th day of June 1832. That he enlisted in the company of Virginia Militia commanded by Captain Abraham Trigg in
Montgomery County Virginia; (The regiment was then Commanded by Colo. [Evan] Shelby; at an early period in our revolutionary War; and served in said Company and in said Regiment under the orders of General [William] Campbell in Carolina until the end of his eighteen months tour of Service [see endnote], when he again enlisted into Captain [James] Burns Company in the Regiment commanded by Colo [William] Preston Lieutenants name Snidow [Christian Snidow, pension application S17112] for some time, when he was discharged. He also Joined with his two Brothers in Montgomery County, in hireing men as Substitute, as the Law required, and he has never received any remuneration for his services. he is now 82 years of age, very infirm & poor & certainly well entitled to his Country’s aid; for he is intirely dependent on Charity for his support. Given under our hands & seals this 7th day of September in the year eighteen hundred & thirty two.

[signed] Nath’l Mullins [and] Anthony Lawson

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Giles County To Wit [18 Jan 1833]

We Ralph Lucas and Wm H. Snidow two of the Justices of the peace in and for the said County of Giles do hereby certify that James Johnston [S5640] & Parker Lucas [S8868] appeared personally before us in said county and each being duly sworn according to Law the said James Johnston deposeth and said that in the year 1781 he served as a private in the army of the revolutionary war under the command of Capt James Burns on a call of the militia from the county of Montgomery that the company in which he served continued in Service about two months and he further sayeth that Wm. Lucas (who he understands now resides in the county of Logan and State of Virginia) Served as a private with him in the said company commanded by Capt James Burns which tour Served by Lucas he believes was about two months and further this Deponent sayeth not

James hisXmark Johnston

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And the said Parker Lucas doth state that William Lucas he understands and believes now resides in the County of Logan and State of Virginia Served as a Private in the Virginia Militia Company in the Revolutionary war which Company was Commanded by Capt. James Burns which tower of Service he believes was about three months and Rendered in the State of North Carolina and he states further that the said William Lucas served Three months at Culbertson’s Bottom under Capt Thomas Burk which tour of Duty the said William Lucas served with this deponent and further this Deponent sayeth not.

Parker hisXmark Lucas

***

Virginia Giles County to Wit [28 Jan 1833]
We Ralph Lucas and Wm. H Snidow two of the Justices of the peace in and for the said County of Giles do hereby Certify, That Christian Snidow Sen personally appeared before us in said county and he first being duly sworn according to Law the s’d Christian Snidow deposeth and says that in year 1776 he served as a private under the command of Capt Thomas Burke on a call of the militia from the County of montgomery that the company in which he served continued in service about three months. And he further sayeth that that Wm. Lucas (who he now understands resides in the county of Logan) and State of Virginia served as a private with him in the said company commanded By Capt Thos. Burke which tour served by Lucas he believes was about three months, and he further sayeth that he served as Lieutenant in the year 1778 under the command of Cap James Burns that the company in which he served continued in service about two months and the said Wm Lucas served as a private under the command of Capt James Burns the same period above mentioned.

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Virginia Giles County To Wit [28 Jan 1833]
We Ralph Lucas and Wm. H Snidow two of the Justices of peace in and for the said County of giles do hereby certify that Thomas Farley [W7244] appeared personally before us in said county and being first sworn duly according to law the said Thomas Farley deposth and said that in the year 1781 he served as a private in the army of the revolutionary war under the command of Capt Beirnes [sic] on a call of the militia from the county of Montgomery, and that he belives said Tour lasted about two months, and that he also knows that the said William Lucas served a Tour of Three months under the Command of Captain Thomas Burk, and Further this deponant sayeth not

Thomas hisXmark Farley

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State of Virginia } To Wit
Logan County }
On this 16th day of February 1833 Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid William Lucas a resident of the county of Logan and State of Virginia aged Eighty three years on the 25th day July 1832 who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832 That he was drafted in the Militia service in the year 1781 by the order of Col. William Preston and that he served three Months in a company commanded by Capt Thomas Burk at Culvertsons bottom in the County of Montgomery Virginia and was then marched to Muddy fort [probably one of the forts on Muddy Creek] Greenbrier County and served their three months under the same Capt Burk against the Indians and was then ordered by Colo Wm Preston to march in the company commanded by Captain James Burns to fort Chissel [sic: Fort Chiswell in present Wythe County VA.] and then marched into North Carolina in the same company of Capt James Burns and Lieutenant Snidow and after serving two months was discharged by Colonel William Preston in North Carlina in the year 1781 – He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity (except the present) and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me. Joshua Butcher, J. Peace.

William hisXmark Lucas

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Virginia Giles County to wit
This day Parker Lucas Se’r personally appeared before the undersigned justices of the peace in and for said County, and made oath in due form of law, that William Lucas now of the County of Logan who he understands is now applying for a Pension, that the said William Lucas was forted at McGriffs Fort in the year 1772 to the best of his recollection, for a term of something like three months, and that in the year 1773 the said Lucas was forted at Lucas’s Fort [John Lucas’s Fort on New River] For a term of about three months, and in the year 1774 the said Lucas was forted at Bargers Fort [possibly Barager’s Fort, then and now in Montgomery County] for a like term of about three months, and that in the year 1777 to the best of this affiants recollection the said Lucas was stationed at Farleys Fort [at present Crumps Bottom in Summers County WV] and that in 1778 (as he believes) the said Lucas was stationed at Woods’ fort [Wood’s Fort on Rich Creek in present Monroe County WV] for the term of three months, and that the foregoing services were rendered in defence of the white People against the Indians, and that in the year 1781 (as this affiant believes) the said Lucas served a tour of Service in the militia under the command of Captain James Burns in the State of North carolina which tour he thinks lasted for the term of three months.

Parker Lucas Sr

We do certify that the foregoing affidavit was sworn to before us in the County of Giles and State aforesaid this 18th day of April 1834

Ralph Lucas J.P. [and] Wm. H. Snidow J.P.

***

Virginia Cabell County to wit

This Day Came Hezekiah Adkins, Sen’r [R290] personally appeared before me the under signed Justice of the peace in and for said County and made oath in due form of law that William Lucas now of the County of Logan who he understands is now applying for a pension that the said William Lucas he believes was forted at Mcgriffs fort but dont recollect how long the foresaid H Adkins to the best of his recollection the said Lucas was forted at Lucas fort for a turm about Three months and that the said Lucas was forted at wood and fort for the turm about three months and that the foregoing services ware rendered in defence of the white people against indians and this affiant believes that the said Lucas served two towers and believes one of them under preston and dont recollect how Long

Hezekiah Adkins

I do certify that the said Hezekiah Adkins Senr is a or dained preacher of the gospel and do also certify that the forgoing affidavid was sworn to before me in County of Cabell and state of Virginia this 13th day of October 1834 Hezekiah Adkins Jur

***

Logan County Va. November the 1st day 1834
We the undersigned Justices of the peace for the County of Logan in the State of Virginia Do hereby certify that at the request of William Lucas who, from old age and infirmity, is unable to attend at the Courthouse of said County; We attended at the house of his son John Lucas, where he now lives, and the said William Lucas, being duely Sworn, in form of Law, made the following, declaration, in order to obtain, the benefit of an Act passed by Congress on the 7 day of June 1832. That he was drafted, in the year 1772 to go on a tour of Service; to protect the frontier of Virginia, a gainst the Indians, and also in 1773 and a gain in 1777 he was drafted, for the same Service, & was stationed at Farleys fort on New river for 3 months; and in 1778 he was Stationed at Woods fort for 3 months; He was shortly after drafted into the Virginia Militia, & served a tour of three months, in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Shelby; in the Company of Captain Abraham Trigg, was with the army under Gen’l. Campbell in Carolina, at the end of this tour He enlisted into the regiment Commanded by his neighbour Col. Preston, and served a tour of three months, in the Company of James Burns; Lieut Snidow, when he was discharged. He also enlisted with his brothers in hiring substitutes, as the Law required; and alltho’ his brother in Giles County [Parker Lucas], in better circumstances has received a pension, he has received nothing in payment for his services, whatever; He is now 84 years of Age, and very infirm, and poor; and certainly well entitled to his Countrys aid; in the time of his great need; and utter inability to help himself–: He relinquishes every other Claim except the present, to any pension; & his name is on no pension Roll whatever in any State–

William hisXmark Lucas

Sworn to, and subscribed before us this 1st day of November 1834
[signed] Anthony Lawson J.P.  Nath’l. Mullins JP

***

The following interogatories were then put by us as are required by the War office:

Agent of pension

1. Question. Where and in what year were you born?
Answer I was born in Pittsylvania County Va. in the year 1749.

2. Question Have you any record of your age &c?
Answer. I have no record of my age, nor do I know of any.

3. Question. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since, and where do you now live?
Answer. I was living in Botetourt County Va. – I have lived Chiefly since in Montgomery
County; and now, & for 7 years last past in Logan County Virginia –

4. Question. How were you called into service, were you drafted, or were you a Substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Answer. I was drafted frequently & also volunteered –

5. Question. State the names of some of the regular officers, who were with the troops where you served; such continental and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect & the general circumstances of our services.
Answer. I remember the names of Col Shelby, Col Preston; Capt Trigg, Capt [Thomas] Burke, Capt. [John] Lucas; Capt Burns; & Lieut Snidow.

6. Question. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, & if so; by whom was it given; and what has become of it?
Answer. I believe that I received a discharge from Col. Preston but have lost it many years ago–

NOTES:
A letter in the file explains that Lucas’ first declaration was questioned by the Pension Office because the claim for a militia tour of 18 months was out of the ordinary. The claim for a pension was ultimately rejected because Lucas’s later declarations were inconsistent with each other and the supporting statements. In his own pension application James Johnston did not claim to have served in 1781.