Pension Application of Andrew Wiley: S6392
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Virginia
Rockbridge County Sc October 1st 1832
On this day personally appeared in Open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Rockbridge, said Court being a Court of record now sitting, Andrew Wiley a resident in said County, aged 76 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 June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
This applicant states that he was born in Bottetort [sic: Botetourt] County now Rockbridge in July 1756, that he has no record of his age and that he has resided all his life in said County of Rockbridge. This applicant declares, that he first entered into the service of the United States in the year 1777, having been pressed by Thomas Vance then of Augusta County, to drive cattle, to Point Pleasant, during the Indian disturbances, upon our frontier, he went as far as the mouth of Elk River upon the Kanahawa, now Kanhawa County [sic: Kanawha County in present West Virginia], where the companies were met by detachments from the Point to receive the Cattle; at this place this applicant was discharged. In going and returning, this applicant consumed 42 days. Col. [John] Gilmore & Col. Dickinson [sic: John Dickenson] from (then) Botterourt, and Col. Campbell from (then) Augusta (now Rockbridge) were in Company in this expedition. This applicant refers to the evidence of John Wiley, who will certify his personal knowledge of this applicants service in this expedition.
This applicant further states, that in the year 1778, about the 1st March, he entered the service of the United States, in the Virginia Regiments, having been drafted for 12 months under the act of the General Assembly of Virginia, passed October 1777, entitled an act for speedily recruiting the Virginia Regiments on the Continental establishment, and for raising additional troops of volunteers” He states that he marched from Bottetourt County (now Rockbridge) about the 1st March or April 1778 under Capt. Robert Sawyers, then of Bottetourt County now dead. That he marched down the [Shenandoah] valley of this state to Winchester, thence to Pennsylvania, between Lancaster and Philadelphia, thence crossed the Delaware into New Jersey, thence into New York, crossed the Hudson at Kingsbridge, thence to the White plains. there joined the general troops under General [Daniel] Morgan, under whose command he continued until the end of the 12 months, for which he was drafted. This applicant states, that after remaining some time at the White plains, the Army marched to the Jersey side of the Hudson river, when his Capt. Robt. Sawyers returned home, and Capt. Adam Wallace then of Bottetourt, who was afterwards slain in Battle at the Hanging rock, in the South [Battle of Waxhaws SC, 29 May 1780] filled his place. that the company to which he was attached had several small skirmishes with the British Light horse. That he was dismissed at Brunswick, on the river Raritan in New Jersey: and that he was discharged at Nowlands Ferry on the Potowmac [sic: Potomac] about the 9th or 10th May 1779, but sent his discharge a short time after he returned from the White plains, with a certain William Mckee, then a representative of Rockbridge (then Botetourt) in the general Assembly in order to obtain at Richmond, what was promised by the Government to Soldiers drafted as he was; but received from Mckee, who made the application, only about six dollars.
This applicant has no further documentary evidence, but relies on the personal knowledge of John Davidson, John Wiley, [other names apparently erased] all of the County, as evidence in his behalf.
This applicant also craves the benefit of the several acts of Congress, respecting pensions passed on the 18th March 1818, 1st May 1820 and 1st March 1823. This applicant further states that in the winter of the year 1780 he served as a substitute for his Brother John Wiley for 3 months under Capt. James Hall, then of said County (now dead). that he marched from said County with two other companies under Capt. [Charles] Campbell & Capt David Gray, to Portsmouth. that he joined the General force at Deep run Church near Richmond, under General Muhlenburg [sic: Peter Muhlenberg], thence marched to Richmond, thence down the Richmond side of James River, how far he dont recollect, but crossed the River above a battery, near where the British forces were encamped opposite Norfolk, thence to Portsmouth on Elizabeth river, thence returned by the way of Petersburg to Richmond, where this applicant was dismissed. This applicant served the three months for which he was drafted. He was in no skirmish or Battle, during this term. He received no discharge, but refers to the personal knowledge of John Davidson who served with him this Tour and of John Wiley, for whom he went as a substitute, as evidence in his behalf.
This applicant further states, that he was again draughted for 3 months, under Capt. [David] Cloyd, then of this County (then Bottetourt) about the 1st April 1781 [sic]. that he marched from said County through Bedford County of this state, thence to Dan River, and thence to Guilford County in North Carolina where he joined the General forces, under General [Nathanael] Greene. Col Stephens [sic: Edward Stevens] from this State, Col [Samuel] McDowell of Rockbridge (then Augusta) and Major [Alexander] Stuart of Augusta, were commanding officers. This applicant states that he was in the Battle of Guilford, fought on the 15th March 1781. Between the British under Lord Cornwallis, and the Americans under General Greene. That the Americans forces were drawn up in 3 lines, the Carolina forces in front, the Virginia Militia next, and the regulars in the rear at the onset of the action, the Carolina force broke and ran. That the riflemen to which this applicant belonged were stationed upon the left Wing. that when the Carolina line retreated, the British forces [Regiment von Bose and 1st Battalion of Guards] came down upon a Ridge, between the Riflemen upon the left Wing and a Company commanded by Col. Campbell of Rockbridge County (then Augusta) [Virginia Rifle Corps under William Campbell] who, as this applicant believes brought on the action, and were swept off by the Virginia Riflemen, but formed again and again until finally, they came down upon the ridge in columns of 12 & 16 men in depth, and were compelled to ground their arms. Col Stephens commanded & Capt Telford from this County was killed in this engagement.
This applicant received no discharge from this tour. he served three months.
This applicant can refer to the personal knowledge of no person as evidence in his behalf, respecting the Guilford tour.
This applicant further states that he served 5 months in an expedition against the Whiskey Boys [probably leaders of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794 in western Pennsylvania]. — This applicant refers to the Rev’d. Andrew B Davidson, and Col. James McDowell of this County, also Capt. William Gilmore as evidence in his behalf –
This applicant 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
Sworn to and subscri bed the day and year above written. Andrew Wiley
Rockbridge County}
State of Virginia}
On this 3d day of June 1833. personally appeared in open Court, before the County Court of said Rockbridge said court being a Court of Record, and now sitting, Andrew Wiley a resident in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following amendment to his Declaration. That he will proceed to answer the interrogatories, which he did not answer in his Declaration
1st question. Where and in what year were you born? This question is answered in his Declaration.
2d ques. Have you any record of your age &c? This question he has answered in his Declaration.
3d. ques. Where were you living when called into service – where have you lived since the Revolutionary war – and where do you now?
He was born in what is now called Rockbridge (then called Bottetourt County) in which county of Rockbridge he has lived all his days.
4th ques. How were you called into service – were you drafted – did you volunteer – or were you a substitute and for whom? He was pressed once – was drafted twice – and was once a substitute for his Brother John Wiley, as will more fully appear from his answer to the next question, embodied in his Declaration.
5th ques. State the names of the Regular officers who were with the Troops where you served &c. This question he has answered in his Declaration.
6th ques. Did you ever receive a discharge &c?
He received one Discharge from his 12 months Tour – by whom signed he does not recollect, and that he sent it to Richmond, by a certain William McKee, as mentioned more fully in his Declaration.
Did you ever receive a commission &c. He never received a commission –
7th State the names of persons, to whom you are known in your neighborhood &c. This question is answered in his Declaration.
This applicant states he believes he served the full Term for which he has claimed in his Declaration. viz. 18 months & 42 days, exclusive of his Tour of 5 months against the Whiskey Boys.
This applicant having answered every thing that he believes is material for him to answer prays a favourable hearing to his claim.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written. [signed] Andrew Wiley