Name appears on a certificate of substitution for Robert Head signed by Capt. Benjamin Humphries. Johnson may have been the substitute. See Robert Head file.

Affidavit in file of Henry Smith. Jones served as private militia soldier under Capt. Henry Smith to Savannah River, SC, and Battle of Briar Creek. Resided Stokes Co., NC, 1833. Declaration of Benjamin Jones – Stokes Co., NC - 12 Dec. 1832 – Benjamin, resident of Stokes, aged 79 on March 28 next – He entered the service in the Virginia Militia as a volunteer under Capt. Edward Booker in 1776, probably in the spring. He guarded British prisoners at Amelia Court House and marched from there to Fredericksburg to Dumfries and was there discharged.

Having moved from Virginia, he next enlisted as a volunteer in the North Carolina Militia for a tour of five months under Capt. James Sheperd in Col. Brevard’s Regiment from Surry County (now Stokes) in November 1778. He marched through Salisbury to Camden, SC, and then to Gen. Rutherford’s Camp, SC, and then to [Parisburg], to the Two Sisters, to Turkey Hill, then to Augusta, GA, and then to Briar Creek, where he was in the engagement, and then returned to Turkey Hill, SC, where he was discharged.

About October 1, 1780, he entered service as a volunteer in the North Carolina Militia and served a tour of three months under Capt. Minor Smith. He rendezvoused at Old Richmond, then Surry Court House, and marched from there to Wilkes Co., NC< to Criders Fort, NC, and then to the Cherokee Towns on Broad River and then to Kings Mountain and was in that engagement, and returned by way of Baties Ford on the Catawba and the Shallow Ford on the Yadkin and the Moravian Town in Surry (now Stokes) County and then to Guilford Courthouse. He was commanded principally by Major Joseph Winston but the chief command on the day of the Battle was given to Col. Campbell. Jones expects to prove this service by affidavit of Lewis Wolff.

In late summer or early fall of 1781 he entered service as an Ensign in the North Carolina Militia under Capt. William Bostick in Col. Francis Locks Regiment and served three months. He was called out under Col. Armstrong of Surry County and was transferred to Cl. Lock. He rendezvoused at Salisbury and marched by Charlotte to Camden, SC, where Col. Malmady, a French officer, took command (Col. Lock being sick) and then to Gen. Green’s headquarters. He then marched with Gen. Green to the Eutaw Springs and was in that engagement and marched back nearly the same route. He was discharged by Col. Lock at Salisbury.

Jones was in a number of other expeditions but none longer than two or three weeks.

Jones was born in King William County, Virginia, in 1754.

He has lived in Stokes County since 1779.

Benjamin Jones signed by mark.

Thomas T. Armstrong and Joseph M. Winston testify as to his character and that of Lewis Wolff.

Original discharges in file:

Camp at Bels Branch October the 9 1781 Roan County This may sertefy that Ben Jones hath served his three Months Tour of Duty as a Good and Faithfull soulder in My Company in Col. Locks Redgment and is hearby Discharged By Me. // with one *** tour under Col. Bostick. [***]

Dec 29th *** Benj. Jones is appointed Ensign in Capt. Wm. Bosticks Company Surry County … Mart Armstrong. Col.

Camp Turkey Hill S. Carolina This is to Certify that Benjamin Jones A Soldier in Captain Shepards Company Col Brevard’s Regiment in G. Rutherfords *** of No. Carolina Militia Hath Served the time for which he was *** Soldier and hes hereby Discharged from the Sd. Service Given under my hand this the day *** H I Brevard, Col.

Camp Turkey Hill April 10th 1779. Benjamin Jones a solider in Capt Sheperds Company Col Brevards Regiment having his tour of Duty Five Months is Discharged from said servis. Given under our hands. James Sheperd Capt.

Aff. of Joseph W. Winston & Thomas T. Armstrong– Stokes Co., NC – 12 ** 1833 – Long known Benjamin Jones – He is generally reputed to be a soldier of the Revolution. He not only old but almost entirely blind.

Aff. of John L. Wilson & Joshua Banner – Stokes Co., NC – 11 Mar. 1833 – John L. Wilson, a clergyman residing in Stokes County, and Joshua Banner of Stokes swear that they are well acquainted with Benjamin Jones and believe him to be 79 years old and a soldier in the Revolution.

Letter from Mrs. Oren Oneal, 1333 Stock Exchange Bldg, Chicago, IL, in 1916: She states that Benjamin Jones was born about 1756 and was living in 1840 in Stokes County, NC, with Elizabeth Jones, whether wife or daughter unknown. “The family records were all destroyed and I am the last one living, and for that reason am most desirous of getting the record straightened out.”

Letter from D. E. Cloyd, President, American Teachers Life Ins. Co., Des Moines, IA, Oct. 25, 1918 – seeking record of Benjamin Jones, who was pensioned by certificate # 16768, issued Sept. 23, 1833, North Carolina Agency.

Archives letter to Mrs. Fred Loomis, 216 Logan St., Denver, CO – 1932 Letter from Bertram M. Jones, 817 So. First St., Montebello, CA, Oct. 12, 1934 – a descendant of Benjamin Jones, born in King William Co., VA, 28 Mar. 1754. Benjamin died in 1833 and was a Rev. Soldier. Also seeks information on William Hooper, “the signer of the Declaration of Independence. “ Bertram believe his daughter Lettie married Aquilla Jones, a son of Benjamin in Stokes Co., NC.

Affidavit in file of Henry Smith. Jones served as private militia soldier under Capt. Henry Smith to Savannah River, SC, and Battle of Briar Creek. Resided Stokes Co., NC, 1833.

Brenda Jerome's email address: bjjerome@comsource.net

George Joyce was born 25 Oct 1759 VA and died 15 Sep 1835 Bullitt Co, KY. He entered service in Charlotte Co, VA 7 June 1759 as a private under Capt.Henry King. In Jan or Feb of 1781 he moved part of his property to the part of Guilford Co that later became Rockingham Co, NC. He was preparing to move his family, with the help of his brother in Charlotte Co, to NC when he heard that Genl. Nathaniel Greene had been forced to retreat from Ninety Six, SC, to Jennings Ferry on the Dan River in Virginia. He made arrangements with his brother to move his family while he entered a rifle company under Capt. Wm. Morse. He was in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in 1781. He was discharged some time later. Again in 1781, he served in a company of Light Horse under Capt. Richard Verrnon and also served in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians under Capt. John Leak in the regiment of Maj. Joseph Cloud.

George Joyce moved from Rockingham Co, NC to Bullitt Co, KY in 1806. His discharge papers were left with his brother-in-law, Thomas Cardwell. George Joyce applied for a pension in Bullitt Co, KY 17 Aug 1835 and died one month later. The pension was awarded and his children paid the sum of $20 per annum, retroactive to 4 Mar 1831.

George Joyce is found on the 1800 Stokes Co, NC census. His children, named in the pension application, were: Thomas, Richard, Alexander, George, Sarah, Delisha, Mary and Delila. A Bible record of one of his sons also names two older children, Elizabeth and William (Brenda Jerome’s ancestor). It is believed that Elizabeth and William stayed in NC, while the rest of the children went to Bullitt Co, KY.

John Angel file indicates that John Angel and Captain Kennedy were chosen to carry the flag to the British at the brick house near Wilmington to summon them to surrender the house in September or October 1781.

Declaration of Christopher Kerby – Washington Co., Arkansas Terr., 19 Dec. 1835 – aged 75 since 10 Sept. Christopher enlisted in Surry County, NC, at the Old Store near the Yadkin in July 1779. Christopher enlisted in a company of light horse volunteer dragoons commanded by Capt. William Underwoods in the regiment of Col. Martin Armstrong and Joseph Williams. He was immediately selected as ensign of the company.

From the Old Store the company proceeded across the Virginia line through that section of country bordering on the line (the now counties of Henry, Patrick, Wythe, and Washington). The object was to take, dispose, or kill a party of Tories who had passed into Virginia from North Carolina and were devastating the country and “otherwise annoying the Whigs.” Kerby acted as Ensign in Capt. Underwoods Company until December when the troops were discharged at Captain Garland’s near the Flower Gap in the state of Virginia. This service as ensign lasted four months and five days.

On July 1, 1780, Christopher Kerby again volunteered as a private at Surry Courthouse and served as a volunteer private of horse or dragoons in the company commanded by Captain James Shepherd. The company proceeded to Freemans ? on the Yadkin River, where his company was joined by companies commanded by Capt. Joseph Phillips and Capt. Minor Smith. The three companies were placed under the command of Maj. Joseph Winston and proceeded to Wilkes Courthouse, NC, where they were joined by other troops. Together they composed Col. Benjamin Cleaveland’s regiment of North Carolina militia or volunteers. At Wilkes Courthouse Ensign William Hewlett of Capt. Shepherds company retired from the service and Christopher Kerby was appointed to fill the vacancy. In early August 1780 the regiment went up the Catawba River and joined the regiments under Colonels Isaac Shelby, John Sevier, and William Campbell. They then advanced to the Cowpens, SC, where they were joined by a small force of South Carolina volunteers under Col. James Williams. From the Cowpens the combined forces proceeded to Kings Mountain where they engaged and defeated the British and Tories under command of Major Ferguson. From Kings Mountain after the battle, the American troops proceeded on their return as far as the head of Kings Creek in Wilks County, where Kerby was detached with a small party of men to disperse, take, or kill a party of Tories near Fishers Gap in Surry County commanded by one Goins. Kerby marched to that place but the Tories, having received intelligence of the planned attack, hid themselves or retired from that section of the country. Kerby’s party returned to Surry about the end of October 1780. Kerby served this tour one month as private and two months and fifteen days as Ensign.

In late January or February 1781 Kerby entered service at Hamlins ? Old Store in Wilks County and served as a private of horse or dragoon under Capt. Joel Lewis.

Captain Lewis marched the company to reconnoiter the British between Salisbury and Moravian town. They then pushed on to Guilford to General Green’s army. However, General Green ordered Captain Lewis’ company to return to protect the country from the Tories.

Christopher was born 10 Sept. 1760 in Halifax County, VA. He resided in Surry County, NC, at time of Revolution. After the Revolution, he moved to Green County, TN, then to Washington County, Arkansas Territory.

Christopher had commissions as Ensign – one in Capt. Underwoods company signed by Col. Joseph Williams and one in Captain Shepherd’s company signed by Col. Cleaveland. However, these were destroyed in 1826 or 1827 when his house burned in Green County, Tennessee.

Persons in neighborhood who can swear to his character and belief in his service are James Coulter, Sr., John Dodson, Jonathan Newman, Robert Parks, Mark Bean, and James Crawford.

Aff. of Thomas Pogue – Washington Co, Ark. Terr, 19 Dec. 1835 – Pogue, a resident of Washington County, states he lived within one half mile of Kerby for twenty years in Green County, TN. Pogue had seen Kerby’s commissions as ensign and remembered well the burning of Kerby’s dwelling house. Pogue has known Kerby many years and lived in his “immediate neighborhood.”

This Virginia soldier was born Oct. 23, 1757. He married Sophia ____ (b. 23 Sept. 1760) on March 18, 1778. He resided in Henry County, MO, at time of enlistment. He moved from Henry County, VA, to South Carolina, then to Warren County, KY, by at least 1809. Jesse died 17 Sept. 1852. His obituary indicates he had been married over 74 years, had 13 children, 135 grandchildren, and 303 great-grandchildren. Leonard T. Kirby of Warren County, KY, stated he had served with Jesse.

This Virginia soldier entered service as a substitute for his father David Kerby in Henry County, VA. He served two tours with Jesse Kerby (see file). He and Jesse Kerby were living in Warren County, KY, in 1832 (then aged 72). He moved from Pittsylvania County, VA, to SC, to KY, then TN, then back to KY.

(b. ca 1759 Lancaster Co., Pa. – d. 1841 Stokes Co., NC)
c. 1) [Catherine Ludwig at Bethania, Stokes Co., NC] 13) [Sally Hunter]
Resident of Surry / Stokes Co. from age 7 until death.
Declaration of Geo. Kreger (age 73) – Stokes Co., NC, 12 Sept. 1832 -- About April 1, 1779, he volunteered in company of Capt. Joseph Phillips, Lt. _____, and Col. Wm. Shepherd in Surry County. Shortly after he was marched to Surry Old Court House. He was sent over the Allegheny Mountains to the leadmines on or near New River for lead. Shortly after his return he was marched up the large fork of the Yadkin River after the Tories who were commanded by Zale Coffin ? and continued in pursuit of the Tories near to Ramseurs mill where the Tories before his company came up with him were attacked by Rutherfords troops and many of them destroyed and the rest dispersed. He ws then wheeled about and marched back to Surry Old Court House called Richmond. In performing this tour he roade as horseman. He was then permitted to return home and spend a few days.

He again rendezvoused with his former fellow soldiers at Surry Old Court House about Harvest time 1779. In a few days after the Whigs were collected at this place they were attacked by a very large band of Tories [aided ? by Gideon Wright] and were compelled after some firing to abandon the village. He was marched by way of escape down the country about 12 miles near to Germantown. His company was then rallied and with companies commanded by Capt. Eccles and Capt. Miller and turned on the Tories and pursued them to the shallow ford of the Yadkin River about 18 miles. The companies arrived at the ford in the morning and found the river so swelled that they could not cross but found that the Tories had crossed the river the morning before. He soon was informed that it was unnecessary to cross as Capt Armstrong with his company had fallen upon the Tories a few miles beyond the River and had utterly routed them.

He was then marched back to the Court House and shortly after marched to Salisbury, Rowan County, under the same officers. He marched to join troops under Gen. Rutherford near Rocky River, Cabarus County. Here they caught a Tory, tied a rope around his neck, and told him that unless he agreed to pilot our troops to the main body of Tories, he should be hung. The Tory promised on his life being saved he would. Gen. Rutherford called for volunteers to go attack the Tories as his company were on horses. Kreger and the volunteers under his Captain, Col. Francis Locke and Col. Davidson marched out after the Tories. They came on the Tories near the bank of Rocky River and slew many, dispersed others, and took many prisoners. The next morning General Rutherford came up with the balance of the troops when Capt. Phillips and Col. Wm. Shepherd marched their men home.

He arrived home in the last of November or in the first of October 1779. He stayed at home until December 1779 when he volunteered in a company commanded by Capt. Peter Pinkley and Lt. Frederick Pinkley [or Binkley] and was marched as a guard over prisoners taken at Kings Mountain. They took them to Old Moravian Town, now called Old Town and stayed there until January 1780. He was dismissed and returned home.

He was always a private volunteer.

He was born in Lancaster County, Pa. And moved to Surry County, NC, when about 7 years old. The part of Surry County in which he has always lived is now Stokes County. He has a record of his age in a testament and also it is recorded at Houser Town in the County. Jacob Hilspeck and Frederick Pinkley can testify from personal knowledge as to his service.

Signed by mark [x]

Affidavit of Fredrik Binkley (soldier) – as a Lt. Commanded George Kreger in the last tour mentioned to the Old Town in George’s declaration.

Jacob Helsepeck (soldier) – Served at the side of George Kreger in “all the routs and towns mentioned” in George’s declaration.

John Buckner and Wm. Lash – testified to George’s good character in neighborhood

Letter from Miss Adelaide L. Fries, Archivist, Moravian Church in America, Southern Province, Winston-Salem, NC, Apr. 17, 1933 – Sending additional information regarding date of second marriage of George Kreger to second wife Sarah Hunter. Says marriage could not have occurred in 1798 as stated in a bond submitted with pension application. George Kreeger belonged to Moravian congregation of Bethania, NC, until 1822. He married Catharine Ludwig on June 10, 1783; Catherine died in 1820. Sarah Hunter mentioned in will of John Hunter, Sr., who died in 1803. (Stokes Will Book 2, p. 42). Will of George Kruger or Kriger dated Jan. 24, 1831, probated September 1841. Left property to wife Sarah. At her death or re-marriage, the property was to be divided between “my nine children.” (Stokes Will Book 4, p. 83). Says George Kreeger’s two brothers served in the Stokes militia as shown in “Revolutionary Accounts” filed in Raleigh, NC.

[George Kreger affidavit is in Michael Spainhour file; two George Kregar affidavits are in William Apperson file.]