Pension Application of Samuel and Jane Paxton: S11206
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
Rockbridge County}
State of Virginia} October 2nd 1832
On this day personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the County Court of Rockbridge, s’d. Court being a Court of Record, and now sitting Samuel Paxton, aged 79 last November, a Resident in s’d County & State 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 ths service of the U States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
This applicant states he served against the Cherokees, under Capt. Samuel Wallace & Liutenant David Edmondson, both of Rockbridge Cty now and that he marched from s’d County in the year 1776 1775 as he thinks some time in Aug [1776]: – that he marched to the Big Island [sic: Long Island at present Kingsport TN] on Holston River – there remained untill Pack Saddles were prepared to carry off the flour & other provisions, which were waggoned to the Island – then passed the Bend of Nolachucky [sic: Nolichucky River] – The Spy Fowler who had gone on before, met Ned Gass a white man in favour with the Indians, who informed the Indians of the approach of the company in which this applicant served – the Indians were stationed on the opposite side of the Island from where his company were, being on the opposite of the River. In order to take the Indians by surprise, this applicants officers ordered the fires to be built up, and left men to keep them burning, whilst the compay marched off in Indian file down the River to another Island (the name not recollected) crossed the River lay upon their arms – having waded waist deep in the water, arose next morning, somewhat stiffened with a frost that had followed – & marched to surprise the Indians but they had fled to their Towns. Thence we marched to the Indian Towns (called Dragon Canoes [sic: see endnote]) remained about a week, when Col Christie [William Christian] this applicant’s commanding officer capitulated [sic] with the Indians. Thence marched up the Tennessee River and Destroyed the Hiwaasse [sic: Hiwassee] Town – remained at this place some time, and then prepared for a return, and arrived at home about the middle of November. On this tour he served a period of 3 months.
This applicant states, that at the time, the members of the Virginia Gen Assembly were chased as far as Charlottesville [22 April 1781], he volunteered as a horseman, and went with Col McDowel [Samuel McDowell], & Col Bowyer, beyond the blue Ridge, but in consequence of not being able to get provision for their horses, returned, after being gone 10 days.
This applicant states that he was draughted in the year 1781. for 3 months and marched some time in July from Rockbridge Cty. and under Cpt David Gray crossed Rockfish Gap – passed Charlottesville – and thence to Richmond – thence to Williamsburg: a short distance before which place at Burrels Mills, the company encamped some time and joined the lines between Burrel’s [or Burwell’s] Mill and York – and there marched on to the Siege of York, under the immediate command of Col Lewis. This applicant left the Siege the Saturday before before Cornwallis surrendered [19 Oct 1781], having served out his tour of 3 months. He cannot recollect his Field officers. He received no written discharge as he believes.
He refers to the personal knowledge of John Davidson [pension application S8304] as evidence in his behalf as to this tour of duty
This applicant was born on the 15th day of November, 1752 – in Augusta, now Rockbridge County where he has continued to live.
He has a record of his age in his possession, and herewith exhibited to the court
He states that during his last tour, He was an orderly Seargeant for Two months as he believes, having been constituted one, on account of the absence of one of the officers. He never received a commission.
He refers to Col James McDowel as his neighbor has evidence in his behalf.
This applicant hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year above written. [signed] Sam. Paxton sen’r
NOTES:
Paxton apparently confused the name of Chief Dragging Canoe with the name of a town named “Dragon Canoe.”
On 13 Jan 1834 Jane Paxton applied for the pension of her husband, Samuel Paxton, whose first application had been mislaid by the court. A second application based on the first is in the file, and but Samuel Paxton died on 29 July 1833 before he could sign it.