Pension Application of James and Elizabeth Hickey: R4946
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Tennessee}
White County} May Term of the Circuit Court 1833
On this 20th day of May, personally appeared in open Court for said county and State of Tennessee now sitting before the Hon’ble. Charles F Keith Judge of the Circuit Court in and for said County, James Hickey, a resident of White County, and state aforesaid, aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7th June 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, and served under the following named Officers, as herein stated.
That he entered the service of the United States as a Private, that he resided in Henry County in the state of Virginia, and was Classed in the 10th Class on the Class Roll of the militia Company to which he belonged. – That a quantity of Arms and Ammunition having been taken from the British and South Carolina (as this applicant was informed) and brought to the Courthouse of said Henry county, and there deposited for safe keeping; – this applicant with others, was impressed by Colo. Abraham Penn, Commandant of said county, to form a sufficient Guard to secure the same. He entered into this service, in the latter part of February, and was discharged in the latter part of May having performed a tour of three months. The Officer commanding the Garrison, was named Smith [probably Thomas Smith], and was either a Captain or a Lieutenant; – But the date of the year in which the service was rendered cannot now be recollected.
His second tour was also performed from Henry County, Virginia he was called in the militia by his No. 10. in the Class Roll. they marched into Pittsylvania County, and there at the house of a Captain Buckley, joined the troops of Bedford, and Pittsylvania Counties; thence marched to Charlotte [County in VA], then to Prince Edward, thence passing through Richmond, down to Mobbin Hills [sic: Malvern Hill]; there we were stationed for a short term; thence they were marched further down to a place called White Church; about this time there was a battle fought at James Town [6 July 1781]; this applicant belonged to a Rifle Company; this company was not brought into action, but was detached, and placed in the edge of a wood, as a reserve corpse, to cover a Retreat if necessary, but were not called on; – they were then marched back to Mobbin Hills, where a Relief arrived, and this Applicant was discharged, having served three months. His Captain was named James Cowden, and he thinks that he belonged to the Regiment of Colo. Tucker [probably St. George Tucker]. He entered into this service, either late in the month of May, or early in June, and was discharged in the latter end of August 1781, a little before the Surrender of Corn Wallace [sic: surrender of Cornwallis, 19 Oct 1781].
He has no documentary evidence by which he can prove his services, nor does he know of any person now living, by whom he can prove the same, or any part thereof.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension, or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Answers to Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, propounded by the Court.
Ansr. 1st I was born in North Carolina, on Hyco Creek, the county not known, on the 26th day of January 1761.
2nd. I have seen the Record of my Birth, and which I well recollect; but it was burnt in my Father’s house.
3rd. [When called into service I lived] In Henry County Virginia, thence to South Carolina; thence to Georgia; thence returned to South Carolina; thence to East Tennessee, thence to Kentucky; thence returned to East Tennessee, thence to White county in West Tennessee, where I now live.
4th. I was impressed into the first tour, and my Class in the militia was called out at my second tour.
5th. I saw General Washington, LaFayette, and Gen [Baron von] Steuben, and rendered services with their troops.
6th. I received a Discharge from my last tour, signed by Captain James Corden, which discharge was also burnt at my Father’s house.
7th. I can name [as persons in his neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief in his services] Colo. Jose[?] C. Dew, Aaron England Esq’r. John Pennington Esq’r. and the Rev’d. John Green.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year above. [signed] James Hickey
NOTES:
Hyco Creek at the time of Hickey’s birth was in Orange County NC and is now in Caswell and Person counties.
In White County TN on 9 July 1844 Elizabeth Hickey, 77, applied for a pension stating that she married James Hickey in September 1783, and he died 27 Oct 1833.