Pension Application of William Miller: S5764
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
Rockbridge County}
State of Virginia} Sept. 3rd 1832
On this 3rd day of Sept 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Justice of s’d. Court, now sitting, s’d. Court being a Court of record for the County aforesaid, William Miller, a resident of s’d. County, aged 75 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 drafted as a Militia Man in the said County of Rockbridge, and marched on the 9th of October 1780 under Capt. James Gilmore, then of s’d. County now dead, Lieutenant John Caruthers [sic: Carruthers], then of said County, now dead, and Ensign John McCorkle, also of s’d. County, who was wounded at the Battle of the Cowpens, in the wrist, and died with the lock jaw. The company rendezvoused in the Town of Lexington in s’d. County of Rockbridge, marched to New London in Bedford Cty. Virginia [now in Campbell County] & thence to Hillsborough in North Carolina, where they joined head quarters under Gen. [Horatio] Gates where the Company was reviewed and drew muskets, there received orders to join Gen. [William] Smallwood, stationed about 16 or 18 miles below Charlotte, towards Camden [South Carolina] – and marched on to that station, passing through Guilford & Salisbury. At this station this applicant was taken from his company and ordered to the Catawba, to guard Garrisons ferry, in which service he was engaged about 4 weeks; when this applicant was returning to Smallwoods Camp, he heard that Gen. Morgans [sic: Daniel Morgan] had gone to Charlotte & had sent the sick and infirm to the Hospital. his Capt. James Gilmore, advised the applicant that on account of his health to go to the Hospital, also [sic: although?] he preferred going on next day with the Army, but his Capt. prevailed upon s’d. applicant to remain for a short time with William Gilmore, then sick, a relation of Capt. James Gilmore, and to meet the Army, as soon as possible. But this applicant, by reason of this circumstance was delayed, and on his march, met the company to which he belonged, returning with prisoners from the Battle of the Cowpens [17 Jan 1781]. This applicant returned with his Company to s’d. Rockbridge County, having his discharge from Capt. James Gilmore dated the 7th February 1781. making this tour of service 4 month, lacking 2 days. This discharge, this applicant has lost. – This applicant further states, that he was again drafted as a Militia man in May 1781, and marched from s’d. County of Rockbridge under Capt William Paxton of s’d. Cty. now dead he joined the general forces, near Deep run Church [near Richmond VA] under General Muhlenburgh [sic: Peter Muhlenberg]. This applicant is advised that it is not necessary to give a detailed statement, of the term of service, as he has in his possession the certificate of the Auditors of Public accounts, certifying his services in the Militia of this state, and that he is entitled to Four Pounds, Eight shillings; The original of this certificate is herewith exhibited to the inspection of the Court, transmitted to the Department, as evidence of s’d. applicants service, and of the time of s’d. service. This applicant served in all, he thinks, 7 months. – This applicant states that he was born in Pennsylvania, near the borders of Maryland, (place not known), on the 1st March 1757. He has no record of his age. – This applicant came into s’d. County of Rockbridge in his 13 or 14th year – was living in s’d. County, when called into service, and has lived in it since. He received discharges in both Tours, which discharges he has lost.
This applicant refers to Adam Hickman, John Gilmore, and William Rowlinson 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 subscribed the day and year above written. William Miller