Thomas Shipp affidavit in John Martin file describes service under Capt. Cloud in September 1780. Near the Broad River John Martin and Thomas Lankford were out from headquarters ranging to discover Tories when Martin was wounded in the head by Tories who lay in ambush. Lankford made his escape and left Martin. The Tories took their horses and Martin's gun and left Martin lying for dead, but he came to himself and returned to camp. John Deatherage picked the shot out of Martin's head where they had penetrated through his hat and skin in his temples. Martin was carried home with attendants as a guard. Martin was in the service nine weeks when he returned home. But our army proceeded on pursuit of an army of British and Tories and in a few days after we overhauled them, killed and took them all at Kings Mountain and then marched the prisoners to old Moravian Town, then in Surry County. All our troops were on horseback.

First major at Battle of Guilford, mentioned in Adam Binkley file.

David Cockerham of Surry County stated he served as a volunteer militia soldier under Capt. William F. Lewis. They marched from Surry into Rowan and Iredell Counties to oppose a Tory leader called Capt. Roberts, who at that time was intimidating the surrounding country. They continued in this service about two months.

Discharge signed by Col. Locke at Camp Turkey Hill, SC, is in Philip Evans file.

Declaration of William Lorance – Owen Co., KY – 3 Dec. * -- William Lorance, a resident of Owen Co., KY, aged 69 last August. He volunteered as a private in Capt. William Armstrong’s company for a six-months tour in the spring (May) 1779. His Lieutenant was William Grimes. He was a resident of Rowan County, NC, at that time. His company rendezvoused at Salisbury and was attached to a regiment under Col. Alexander Maybau*. Soon after his company joined it, the regiment marched toward Deep River to keep down the Tories in that quarter “who were making some efforts to embody themselves.” They came upon a number of Tories who were collecting under one Fannon at a place called the haw fields on Deep River. After a skirmish, the Tories dispersed “having their leader and several of their companions dead on the ground.” After scouring the country for some time on Deep River and its waters, they marched to the Catawba River in the vicinity of the shallow ford. His company and most of the regiment stayed there for some time and then went into the Tory settlements on Cross Creek. They shifted their quarters around to protect the Whigs and keep the Tories “in awe and subjection.” He returned to his home in Rowan County after this tour.

Soon after he volunteered in Capt. William Armstrong’s company under Lt. Abel Armstrong and Ensign Richard Grimes in October 1779. They were called minute men. He served for twelve months. Soon after he signed up, it rendezvoused with a full regiment of militia at Salisbury. Col. Matthew Locke took command. The regiment marched toward the Catawba River some distance below Beatty’s ferry. Hearing that a body of Tories was collecting, a detachment of three or four companies under Col. Campbell was directed to march up the river. A few miles above Beatty’s ferry at Ramseurs Mill they had a small skirmish with the Tories in which Capt. William Armstrong was killed and the Tories dispersed. Abel Armstrong then took the command. Lorance was with this company in active service in the winter and spring of 1779-1780 “keeping down the tories who abounded in that part of North Carolina and extending relief and protection to those who were well affected to the American cause.”

One one occasion they went to the forks of the Yadkin to disperse a “parcel of Tories.” During the summer of 1780 his company usually acted separately from others and was often called out to keep the Tories “in subjection who were frequently committing outrages and depradations upon the Whigs.” In the late summer or early fall the company was attached to a regiment under Col. Caldwell. He marched to the Yadkin and joined Gen. Smallwood’s army. His company was sent from the army to harrass the British and keep down the Tories. General Gates was commander in chief until that fall when Gen. Greene took command. After Lorance’s discharge, he returned home to Rowan County.

Lorance again volunteered as a private in a company commanded by Abel Armstrong about Christmas 1780. Richard Grimes was the lieutenant. In January 1781 he joined Gen. Morgan’s company stationed on the [Pacolet] River. His company was under Major McDowell. It crossed the Pacolet and marched toward Broad River to Cowpens, where Lorance was in the battle under Major McDowell and Capt. Abel Armstrong. Lorance was in the front line in the beginning of the action. At the first fire, it fell back into the second line commanded by Col. Pickens. The militia and volunteers took the prisoners over the Broad River and the Catawba into Virginia. Gen. Morgan followed and Cornwallis pursued to the Catawba. After the troops crossed the Catawba, they rested for several days. Gen. Greene came and took the command in person. Soon after, Lord Cornwallis “forced a passage” over the Catawba at Cowans ford, which was defended by Gen. Davidson. Lorance was under his command in a skirmish in which Gen. Davidson was killed and the detachment dispersed. Lorance’s portion of the company fell in with the main body of the army which “took the rout” to Salisbury and then to the trading ford on the Yadkin. Cornwallis remained in pursuit. After the Army crossed the Yadkin it marched to Guilford Courthouse where it was joined by Gen. Hugen’s division. The army continued its retreat toward Virginia, pursued by Cornwallis “and was at last compelled to cross the river Dan” at Boyds and Irwins Ferries. Lorance was detailed to bring boats for the Army to cross over in. The army was in Virginia only a short time until it received reinforcements and then crossed the river Dan and followed Cornwallis towards Hillsborough. “The Tories about this time were very bad,” and Lorance’s company was frequently detached to “harrass them” and British parties. The main army crossed the Haw River near its source and stationed on Troublesome Creek. Gen. Greene kept the army in constant motion, not letting it camp two nights “on the same ground.” Cornwallis attacked a portion on Reedy Fork under Col. Campbell and Col. Lee. The Americans were forced to retreat and lost some killed. Gen. Greene “retired with the whole army to the iron works.” Gen. Greene received reinforcements daily and about the middle of March 1781 he moved the whole army to Guilfords Courthouse.

On the evening before the Battle of Guilford Lorance and his company were detached with a parcel of baggage wagons across a creek two miles off. They were ordered to cross and then take up the bridge and await orders. The engagement resulted in the defeat of the American army. Lorance’s company was ordered to scatter the wagons in the woods but to take the horses and join the army. They joined the army a day later at Reedy Ford Creek. The army retreated to the iron works on Troublesome Creek as planned if they were defeated. Some days later Lord Cornwallis began a retreat and Gen. Greene and the army pursued Cornwallis but gave it up at Ramsays Mills on Deep River.

Lorance’s company was detached to quiet disturbances in the Cross Creek vicinity. Near the expiration of his tour, they marched on the Catawba about ten miles from the Island ford. They had a “little reincountre with a party of Tories” under Jack Brown. “In the little scrape” Lorance received a slight bayonet wound to his right knee. Lorance was discharged and returned home to Rowan County.

Lorance says he can prove most of his service by William Knight who served part of the time with him.

Interrogatories of William Lorance:

Born August 21, 1763, in Rowan County, NC

The record is in an old book which belonged to his father and was now in his possession.

At the time called into service, he lived with his father in Rowan County, NC. He lived in Rowan County for a number of years after the Revolution and then moved to Owen County, KY.

Aff. of William Knight – 27 Sept. 1832 – Knight was a revolutionary soldier, serving nine months in the militia and then as a regular soldier during the war. Knight served under Capt. William Jamison in the militia and under Capt. [Litel?] and Capt. Washington in the regular service. Knight was at the Battles of Guilford and Cowpens and at the seige of York when Cornwallis surrendered. Knight is not a pensioner. He knows William Lorance and was well acquainted with him before the Revolutionary War. He saw Lorance in the service of the United States at battles fought with the Tories on Deep River. Knight was also engaged in that action. Knight also saw Lorance at the Battle of the Cowpens. Knight also saw Lorance the day after the Battle of Guilford with the army. Lorance told him that he was not in the battle, but had been taking care of the wagons. After Knight marched to York, he understood that Lorance continued in the service. Lorance lived in Rowan County before the war; Knight has known Lorance ever since the War. The evening before the battle of Guilford Lorance and three other soldiers brought in five prisoners they had taken.

Aff. of William Lorance – Owen Co., KY – 31 May 1833 – He amends his declaration to say that he was in actual service with the minute men at least ten months from October 1779 to June 1780.

William Lorance signed by mark

[See also file of Richard Goode. * Affidavit in file to be ordered.]

David Cockerham file states he served in company of Capt. Lovell of Surry County in pursuit of Tories.

Declaration of John Maib, Sr. – 9 Sept. 1833 – Stokes Co., NC –
John Maib, Sr., aged 75 years – He entered served as a drafted private militia soldier in Surry County in a company commanded by Capt. Edwin Hickman. He joined the company at the old Moravian Town in Surry and from there to Surry Courthouse, called old Richmond. Col. Armstrong was the commander, he believes. They marched under Capt. Hickman and his brother Thomas Hickman (Lt.) to the Shallow ford of the Yadkin River in search of Tories. They marched towards the west a considerable distance and crossed the Cataba River until we met the troops that had defeated the British and Tories and taken them prisoners at the Battle of Kings Mountain. This was about ten miles from the battleground, at which place the prisoners were put under care of Capt. Hickman's and another company to guard and run them to the old Moravian Town, crossing at the Shallow ford of the Yadkin River. Col. Cleveland and Major Winston were commanding the troops from Kings Mountain that I saw. After remaining at the old Town, he was marched as one of the guard of the prisoners to Guilgord Courthouse, where he was disharged, having served three months. This was in fall of 1780.

John Maib was next called on as a minute man under Col. Martin Armstrong. In this expedition he was marched from old Richmond Surry Courthouse to the Brushy Mountains to route a set of Tories that "embodied" about said mountains, but they could not find them. They returned home. This service was at least ten days.

John Maib next entered as a drafted private in the Surry County militia. They met at old Richmond Surry County Courthouse and marched under Capt. David Humphries to Guilford Court House and then lay on the Battleground of Guilford Battle. They joined the troops under command of Col. James Martin and marched to or near Wilmington after scouring the Raft Swamps after the Tories. In this expedition Maib often times guarded the "markee" of his General Rutherford who was the commander in chief of these troops. He served three months in this service, which he can prove by William Southern and Edwin Hickman.

John Maib stated he was born in Albemarle County, VA. He was living in Surry County at all times when he was called into service, and has resided in the same neighborhood ever since the Revolution, which from the division of Surry is now Stokes County. He was drafted on all of his tours of service. John Maib signed by mark.

Affidavit of James Martin, Sr. "formerly Colonel of Guilford County" and James Davis, Sr., residents in Stokes that they believe John Maib was in the Revolution.

Affidavit of James Forrister – 14 Sept. 1833 – Stokes Co., NC --

Forrister was "an aged old man." He saw and knew John Maib. Sr., in the service under Captain Hickman guarding the prisoners taken at the Battle of Kings Mountain. John Maib and James Forrester were in the guard from near the Battleground crossing the Cataba and Yadkin Rivers in conveying said prisoners to the old Moravian Town in Surry (now Stokes) County and from there to Guilford County. James Forrester signed by mark.

Affidavit of William Southern, Sr. – 14 Sept. 1833 – Stokes Co., NC – William served a three-month tour in 1781 with John Maib, Sr., a private militiamn under the command of Captain David Humphries. They marched from Surry County upwards of 200 miles to near Wilmington. They were discharged in the fall of the year when Cornwallis surrendered. Our commander in chief was Gen. Rutherford in Col. James Martin's Regiment. Signed by mark.

Affidavit of Lucy Maib – 30 July 1845 – States she married Christmas 1781

. Affidavit of Reuben Maib – 15 Sept. 1845 – Lucy Helton married John Maib 1780 or 1781 on Beaver Island Creek, now Rockingham Co., NC.

Declaration of Roda Mabe – 27 May 1847 – Stokes Co., NC – Roda Mabe, aged 73 years. She was well acquainted with John Mabe, deceased, and his widow Lucy Mabe. Roda was married in 1791 and her first child Anna was born July 8, 1792. John and Lucy Mabe were at Roda's wedding and at that them they had three children, and their third child [Nancy ?] was just one month old. Roda Mabe signed by mark.

Affidavit of Martin Tilley –27 May 1847 -- Stokes Co., NC – Martin, aged 60, was well acquainted with John Maib, Sr., and his wife Lucy and their children. Alexander Maib, oldest son of John and Lucy, is older than himself. Martin Tilley was born and raised in the same neighborhood that Alexander Mabe was. Alexander Mabe was larger than himself when boys. Martin mustered with Alexander in the same captain's company and Alexander Mabe was off the muster roll by age before Martin Tilley. John and Lucy Mabe lived together in Stokes County in the same neighborhood as Tilley as long as he can recollect. John and Lucy Maib were "orderly members" of the Snow Creek Baptist Church.

Declaration of Lucinda Maibe – 15 Apr. 1855 – Stokes Co., NC – Resident of Stokes County, aged 81. Her maiden name was Lucinda Hopton [? -- Helton is likely correct].

Declaration of Lucy Maib (age 82) – 5 Feb. 1857 – Stokes County – John Newman of Stokes married Lucy and John Maib in January ___. Her name was then Lucy Helton [?]; she was 19. John died July 21, 1843. Lucy signed by mark.

Affidavit of John Maib, Sr. , in William Southern pension file– 10 Sept. 1833 – Stokes Co., NC –
Maib was acquainted with William Southern for at least sixty years. He served one tour of service in the militia with Southern, both as privates and messmates, three months under Capt. David Humphries. They marched from Richmond or Surry old Courthouse to or near Wilmington, a distance of upwards of 200 miles. This was about the close of the Revolutionary War when the news came to Gen. Rutherford, our commander in chief, that Lord Cornwallis had surrendered to Washington. James Martin was our Colonel. At the time of the affidavit, Southern was Maib's neighbor

. Affidavit of John Maib, Sr., and William Southern in John Quillin pension file – 16 Sept. 1833 – They guarded prisoners taken at Kings Mountain from the Yadkin River to the old Moravian Town and then to Guilford Courthouse.

Near the end of the Revolution a company from Surry County joined Col. Martin's regiment at Guilford and marched to Wilmington, where they received word of Cornwallis' surrender. In the William Southern pension file is an 1833 affidavit of Col. James Martin Sen., who signed after his name "formerly Colonel of Guilford Militia."

Discharge signed by Col. James Martin is in Edwin Hickman pension file.

[Signed certificate in file of William Apperson re William Epperson and Lewis Johnson shifting divisions in the Surry Co. militia signed by Job Martin Capt., Aug. 2, 1779]

Lawrence Angel file indicates John Martin was a lieutenant in Capt. Minor Smith's company under Col. Cleveland and Major Joseph Winston in August 1780, which served at Kings Mountain and participated in Ferguson's Defeat. Lt. John Martin also served under Capt. Robert Hill in Col. Smith's regiment of mounted riflemen in October 1781 on an expedition to Wilmington.

Declaration of Nancy Martin – 24 Nov. 1840 - Stokes Co., NC –
Nancy, aged 77, was deposed at her residence 16 miles from the courthouse of Stokes County, she being very unable to travel to court from bodily infirmities. Nancy is the widow of John Martin. Her husband often related to her the many services he performed as a militia soldier and officer. He said he served the most part of the whole war. He was in several skirmishes or battles. One was on the Chesnut Ridges in Surry County, another at a place called Colesons fields or mills on Rocky River, and one on the Allamance River, and one towards Kings Mountain when he said he got wounded by the Tories. He was commanded by Maj. Winston of then Surry County, Col. Jo Williams, Capt. James Cloud, Col. Cleveland, Col Shepperd, and Capt. Minor Smith, all of Surry County. John Martin served most of the time as a lieutenant.

Nancy married John Martin in June 1784 in Surry County, NC, by Micajah Clarke, a magistrate of that county, after having been first published by a minister John W. Stephens [?] of the Baptist Church. Her husband John Martin died on April 5, 1823. The annexed leaf cut out of the family Bible contains the names and ages of all of the children born of her body. Signed by mark.

Page of Family Bible attached to Nancy Martin declaration [The Bible was printed by Alexander Weir, bookseller, 1781] Nancy swore that this list was written by her husband John Martin and was cut out of the family Bible.

Marycoalmon Martin daughter of John & Nancey wife born April the 23 day at 12 Oclock & the year 1785.

Elizabeth Martin daughter of John & Nancey his wife was born February 5th day at 12 Oclock at night & year 1787

James Martin son of John & Nancey his wife was born March the 20th day at 2 Oclock in the morning 1789

Joseph Martin son of John & Nancey his wife was born February the 4th day a 5 Oclock in the morning & year [92 ?]

Ginney Martin daughter of John & Nancey his wife was born August the 10th day at 6 Oclock & in the year 1794 – Deceast June 26 day 1797

John Martin son of John & Nancey his wife was born May the 5th day & in the year 1797 – at 8 oclock in the afternoon

Samuell Martin son of John & nancey his wife was bornd 19 of Jany at * Oclock in the afternoon & year 1800

George Martin son of John & Nancey his wife was bornd Oct. 30 [?] 1802 & at 11 Oclock at night

Thomas Martin son of John & Nancey his wife was bornd the 18th of January 1805 at 7 Oclock in afternoon

William Gilliam Martin son of John & Nancey his wife was bornd August 26 about 8 Oclock at Night 1809

At end of the Apocrypha is written:
Col. John Martin died the 5 Apl. 1823.

Affidavit of Capt. Thomas Shipp – 28 Aug. 1840 – Stokes Co., NC – Shipp served in the militia with John Martin in the Revolutionary War in a company commanded by Capt. Joseph Cloud and Major Joseph Winston. They marched from old Richmond ranging after Tories wherever they could hear of them in certain settlements embodying together in the Tory Settlements on Waters of New River, Yadkin, and Dan River. In one route we tracked a parcel of Tories and took them on surprise at their camp on the Chesnut ridges in Surry County, where we had a skirmish. We killed three or four of them, the remainder fled to the mountains. John Martin wounded one Horton and took him prisoner, who died shortly afterward. We marched to Col. Martin Armstrongs at Surry old Courthouse (called Richmond) and from there marched to New River and to the lead mines and brought lead on pack horses for the use of the Army and deposited it at Richmond. Next he marched under a Capt. Philips back to New River to a Capt. Nolls, then to Reddy [Reedy] River in pursuit of a band of Tories in Wilkes County, and to the Mulberry fields on the Yadkin. Col. William Shepperd then commanded them to the Brushy Mountains and back to old Richmond, where they stationed for a short time, then marched to Salisbury in Rowan County, and rendezvoused there some time, then marched various routes to Rocky River in Anson County. In July, at a place called Colsons old fields we had a skirmish with the Tories where we killed a part and took the balance prisoners, and returned to Salisbury and lodged them in jail. This was the spring or summer of 1779 or 1780. We then marched to Salem and then to Richmond, Surry County. John Martin served as lieutenant or ensign for six months before they were discharged at Richmond.

John Martin and Thomas Shipp turned out as volunteers under Capt. Cloud when a call for soldiers was made in August before the battle of Kings Mountain. They joined the army under Col. Cleveland and Maj. Joseph Winston and marched from old Richmond in September 1780 across the Yadkin into the forks of the River then southwardly crossing the Cataba River to Broad River. Near the Broad River John Martin and Thomas Lankford were out from headquarters ranging to discover Tories when Martin was wounded in the head by Tories who lay in ambush. Lankford made his escape and left Martin. The Tories took their horses and Martin's gun and left Martin lying for dead, but he came to himself and returned to camp. John Deatherage picked the shot out of Martin's head where they had penetrated through his hat and skin in his temples. Martin was carried home with attendants as a guard. Martin was in the service nine weeks when he returned home. But our army proceeded on pursuit of an army of British and Tories and in a few days after we overhauled them, killed and took them all at Kings Mountain and then marched the prisoners to old Moravian Town, then in Surry County. All our troops was on horseback.

The next service John Martin and Thomas Shipp turned out as volunteers, John Martin served as lieutenant under Capt. Robert Hill in the light horse company commanded by Col. James Martin. We joined headquarters at Guilford Courthouse in September 1781 and marched from there to Wilmington where we got the official good news that Lord Cornwallis had surrendered. Our army returned home and we were discharged for three months tour.

Thomas Shipp was informed that John Martin's first service was a tour of three months against the Scotch Tories but Shipp did not serve that with him.

Thomas Shipp's sister Nancy married John Martin in June 1784. They were legally published by W. Stephens, Baptist minister, before they were married at Thomas Shipp's "mansion house" by justice of the peace Micajah Clark in Surry County. Nancy had seven sons and three daughters with John Martin.

Affidavit of George Kregar – 29 Aug. 1840 – Stokes Co., NC – The foregoing statement of Capt. Thomas Shipp as it relates to John Martin's service marching from old Richmond to the lead mines and back and then over to Capt. Nalls on New River to Reddys River, the Mulberry Fields to the Brushy Mountain and to old Richmond and from there to Salisbury and the Battle of Colsons old fields and home to Richmond and afterwards the route towards the Battle at Kings Mountain to the place where John Martin received the wound is all correct. George Kregar marched in the same regiment the same route with Martin with whom he was well acquainted and that Martin "was a brave useful officer."

Affidavit of Lewis Wolff – 29 Aug. 1840 – Stokes Co., NC – Wolff served a three-month tour of duty as a musician fifer in the same militia company under Capt. Henry Smith with John Martin (who married Nancy Shipp). Col. Joseph Williams and Major Joseph Winston from Surry County met at Dobsons crossroads in Surry (now Stokes) County and there rendezvoused and recruited some time and made necessary preparations. In February or March 1776 they took up the line of march and went to Fayetteville against the Scotch rebels or Tories. When we landed there, we got information, and "glad we were," that the Rebels had just been defeated on Little River by another Whig army. Our troops after a few weeks spent in plundering the Tory dens or shops returned home.

In the summer of 1776 a call was made for an army to go against the Indians. John Martin volunteered in Capt. Henry Smith's company and marched to Wilkes County and then ordered back to Surry. We were gone two weeks and then rendezvoused near Richmond some weeks and then marched towar the Cherokee Nation. But John Martin and Wolff got substitutes and did not go. Lewis Wolff signed by W mark.

Affidavit of Abraham Stow – 29 Aug. 1840 – Stokes Co., NC – Deposed at Lewis Wolff's residence, Abraham Stow of Surry County "a respectable wealthy citizen and a person of high standing for probity and truth." Stow declared that he was well acquainted with Col. John Martin and served a three-month tour with him as dragoon light horsemen under Capt. Robert Hill. They marched from Surry County to Guilford Courthouse and joined headquarters under the command of Col. James Martin. From there they marched to Wilmington where they received news of the surrender of Cornwallis. We marched home to Surry County. Stow was at the wedding when John Martin married Nancy Shipp, the sister of Capt. Thomas Shipp. Abraham Stow signed by mark A.

Affidavit of William Meritt – 8 Sept. 1840 – Stokes Co., NC – Meritt was well acquainted with Col. John Martin. He saw Martin under the command of Major Jo Winston in a light horse cavalry company with John Winston in Anson County on Rocky River in July 1780. The company had a skirmish with a parcel of Tories and British at Colsons old fields. Meritt was in the foot company of Gen. Rutherford's brigade within three miles of the Battle and heard the firing. Martin with the light horse company returned to our army with prisoners they had taken. Gen. Davidson was wounded. John Martin was a neighbor of Merit and served as a volunteer two tours in succession before and after that time in the light horse. John Martin was shot in the head in a subsequent tour and was in a battle or skirmish on the Allamance under Maj. Winston.

MARTIN, Joseph (Lt) – mentioned in brother Capt. Salathiel Martin’s file.

( - d. May 6, 1827)

wife Mary Cook, b. Aug. 23, 1763

Salathiel resided in Surry Co., NC, in 1779. He was 6’, 9” tall.

He served as captain in Col. Armstrong’s regiment at Guilford Courthouse and Kings Mountain. He marched from Surry Courthouse and joined General Green a few days before the battle of Kings Mountain.

He married Mary Cook on Apr. 23, 1782, in Surry County, NC.

File includes Bible record showing Thomas Martin, b. Feb. 29, 1785, and other children.

Affidavit of David Lawson – 1851 – Lawson was born in 1765 in Amherst County, VA, and had since infancy known Salathiel Martin

. Salathiel ‘s widow Mary was in Claiborne Co., TN, on Feb. 27, 1845.

Aff. of Joseph Banner, Sr., in Christopher Eaton file – Stokes Co., NC, 16 June 1826 – Banner was informed by his brother-in-law Charles Mcanally who was in the Battle of Gates Defeat that Christopher Eaton was also in the battle.

William Southern pension declaration stated that he served as a private volunteer militia soldier of infantry under Capt. William Meredith in Surry County, Lt. Hill, and Ensign Hickman, for three months. They marched from Surry Courthouse to Salisbury and there joined headquarters under the command of Gen. Rutherford. From there they marched to a place called Rugeleys Mills near Camden, SC, and remained there for a week or ten days. There was a call for reinforcement to join Gen. Sumpter's Brigade to scour the country and rout a party of British and Tories around about the Cataba Tribe of Indians on the Cataba River. Southern and seven others of Capt. Meredith's company under Ensign Thomas Hickman marched and joined Gen. Sumpter on the Cataba River near the nation of Indians. During this rout, the notorious battle of Gen. Gates' defeat happened, and our army was compelled to flee from the enemy. Our army were "irregularly disperced" and retreated homewards. This happened about August 1780.

MERRITT, William –- S. 2821 Declaration of William Merritt (70) – Stokes Co., NC – March 14, 1832 – William entered as a volunteer for three months as a private under Capt. John Halbert & Lt. Robert Hill at Surry County Courthouse commencing about four weeks before the Battle of Camden in South Carolina. He marched under Lt. Robert Hill to Salisbury, where Capt. William Meredith from Surry County came with part of the company composing the captains company from Surry and joined those commanded by Lt. Hill. Capt. Meredith commanded the company at headquarters in Salisbury, from there marched to Anson Co., NC, under Gen. Rutherford, where Lt. Hill was badly wounded in a severe windstorm by the fall of a tree. Merritt and two other soldiers were ordered by Gen. Rutherford to wait and take care of Lt. Hill and conveyed him to his residence in Surry Co., NC. During this service the “memoriable Battle of Gates defeat happened.” Merritt was then discharged.

Immediately thereafter he entered service as a volunteer horseman, providing his own horse, under the command of Capt. Thomas Evans in Surry County and marched from Capt. Bynums in Surry County as a Ranger to scourge the Tories that were “pestering some sexions of the county in mountains and tributary waters of the Yadkin River…” He served ranging through Surry and Rowan Counties on one expedition after another whenever called. He served five months and two weeks. He was in one small skirmish at Surry Courthouse, called Richmond, when he received a ball through his hat and one through his shotbag and horn. Col. Jos William and Col. Lenear were the field officers; Capt. Halbert, Capt. Woldridge, Capt. Krouse, and Capt. Scott commanded as captains and were compelled to retreat from the Tories. One mojnth of the service was an expedition under Capt. Horn and Col. Joseph Williams from Surry County to the Mulberry fields in Wilkes Co., NC, guarding the prisoners that were taken at the Battle of Kings Mountain at the old Moravian Town. He can prove the greater part of his service by testimony of his former Lt. Robert Hill.

William was born Dec. 20, 1762.

He lived in that part of Surry County which became Stokes when he was called into service and has lived there ever since.

Affidavit of Robert Hill – William Merritt did serve for three months when I was wounded by the fall of a tree as therein stated.

Archives letter in file states that William was born in Essex County, VA , and that William died May 22, 1841, leaving a widow.

[Wm. Merritt affidavit in Christopher Eaton and Michael Spainhour files]

Recruiting officer at Surry old courthouse or Richmond, Surry Co., NC, in 1777, see Christopher Eaton file. Capt. Joseph Philips company also included William Apperson. This company marched north to Virginia. Soldiers then served at Brandywine, Monmouth, White Plains, etc., but not sure whether Phillips did.

At King’s Mountain, mentioned in Frederick Binkley and Christopher Kerby files.

Expedition to the lead mines in 1780 and capture of Tory, see George Kreger and William Apperson file.

Declaration of David Poindexter, Stokes Co., NC, 10 Apr. 1833 – David, res. Stokes, aged 70 on 17 May last. David enlisted in Albemarle County Virginia under Capt. Richard Pollett for two months in 1778 or 1779. He then went to his parents in Louisa County, VA. He served in place of his father for two months under Capt. Crutchfield. David also served from Hanover Co., VA, and twice as substitutes (once for William Ryan and once for Joseph ____) from Louisa Co., VA. He was in the seige of Yorktown. David was born in Louisa County, VA, 17 Mar. 1763.

He lived in Louisa County, VA, the whole of the Revolution and then lived in Rockingham County, VA, for upwards of forty years before moving to Stokes Co., NC.

The William Apperson pension file stated he served as a private substitute for David Poindexter in Capt. Joseph Philips Company at Surry old Court house in spring 1780. This was in Col. William Sheppard’s regiment of militia. Wm. Apperson file. [This is confusing as David Poindexter was still living in Virginia at that time.] Also in Apperson file is an affidavit of Patsy M. Pettit, who states William Apperson and Elizabeth his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Carr, were married on June 6, 1781, at deponent’s father Thomas Poindexter’s house in Surry County.

See also Thomas Poindexter, W5556, like David, he was from Louisa Co., Va.

Thomas’ declaration states he was born “on the waters of Elk Creek” in Louisa County on May 25, 1760. His brother James was born June 5, 1765. Thomas married Sarah Ragland on March 18, 1790, in Louisa County, VA.

Chapman Poindexter, W26327, BLWt 38575-160-55, was born in Louisa County in 1760, enlisted in Louisa County. After the Revolution he moved to Albemarle Co., Halifax, and Henry Co., VA, then to Hawkins Co., TN, and Grainger Co., TN, where he lived in 1832. Chapman married Elizabeth Runnels on July 18, 1815, in Virginia.