Pension Application of William Paxton: S5873
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
Rockbridge County}
State of Virginia} August 17th 1832
On this day personally appeared before me William Paxton Jr a Justice of the Peace in s’d. County, William Paxton Sr. a Resident in s’d. County and State, aged 75. who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benifit 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 — He states that he marched as a volunteer from s’d County of Rockbridge under Cpt. Charles Campbell, then of s’d County, now dead, about 1778 as well as he can now recollect, when the British first came to norfolk [probably naval raid by Commodore George Collier, 9 May 1779] – he marched on to Richmond, continued on down the Richmond side of the James River, to Chickahominy, then crossed over to Cabin Point [in Surry County] – there remained, marching up and down the River within the compass of a few miles, monitering the Country. This tour consumed three months. The other officers he cannot now recollect —
He further states, that he was drafted about 1778 or 9. as a Militia Man under Capt David Gray, then of s’d. County, now believed to be dead, William Paxton, Lieutenant, then of this County, now dead. He states that he marched from s’d. County on to Richmond thence down James River, crossed Pamunkey, thence to Hobb’s Hole [on Rappahannock River], returned went to Petersburg, and continued marching backward & forward – to what places, this affiant cannot now recollect. This applicant can not recollect the names of any of the other officers under whom he served. In this Tour he served three months.
This applicant further states, that he was again drafted as a militia man under Capt William Paxton, then of s’d. County, now dead, about 1781. when Cornwallis came to Virginia [beginning 10 May] – that he marched from Rockbridge on to the neighbourhood of Charlottesville – there united with other Troops of the State, under Gen. Layfayette [sic: Lafayette] – that he marched on to Richmond, which place Cornwallis had just left [20 June 1781], and gone to Williamsburg. Thence he was ordered to march on to Williamsburg, and arrived within a few miles of that place – Encamped at Hickory Nut Church [8 miles NW of Williamsburg] – while at this encampment, the British by direction of some Tories had come to a mill (name not now recollected) to sieze upon some provisions, viz flour, Beeves, &c which were laid in there for the army, and he was one among a company of about Three Hundred, who were sent to way lay them. This company arrived in time to attack their rear guard, which brought on a pretty severe encounter [possibly Battle of Hot Water Plantation, 26 June 1781]. This detachment of British consisted of about 1500 men. He further states that when this skirmish commenced, the British fired cannon, which brought to their assistance a company of Light Horse, before his own company could receive any aid.
This applicant further states, that a few days after this skirmish, he was engaged in another encounter with the British at James Town [6 July], as he believes, when they attempted coming up from Williamsburg to cross the River. the particulars he can not recollect. In both encounters he was under the [one or two illegible words] command of Capt William Paxton. Thence he came up to Westham [about 6 miles above Richmond] crossed over the river, and marched to Petersburg in order to watch the movements of the British, when his term of service expired. In this tour this applicant served Three months.
This applicant farther states, that in the year 1794 he was drafted under Capt Joseph Alexander then of s’d. County, now dead, to serve against the Whiskey Boys in Pennsylvania [Whiskey Rebelion]. He marched from s’d. County, to Winchester, thence to Red Stone in the state of Pennsylvania – he encamped as well as he can recollect first at a place named Benis[?] Town, as believes, and afterwards at Cat Fish Town, where he remained untill he returned home. He states that he received a Discharge in this Tour which he has not now in his possession. The circumstances of this discharge were these. General Lee [Gov. Henry Lee of Virginia] had gone to Richmond, and General Dark gave discharges. This General was so busily occupied, that he had not time to discharge his soldiers as soon as they wished to be, and told William Paxton, the Applicant in this Declaration, to write a discharge for his mess and he would sign it. This applicant wrote a discharge for his mess upon one piece of paper, which is now in the possession of some one of the mess, but who it is, he cannot now recollect. Gen. Lee was commanding officer.
In this Tour, this applicant served three months and the only Tour in the Service of the United States, for which he received any remuneration
His various terms of service as a common soldier, amount in all to 12 months.
This applicant further states, that he was born in s’d. County of Rockbridge [formed from Augusta and Botetourt counties in 1778] in the year 1757.
He has not any record of his age in his possession but believes it to be in the possession of his Brother Samuel Paxton, in a remote part of s’d. County.
S’d. Applicant has lived in s’d. County since his birth.
This applicant refers to the testimony of the Rev’d. John D. Erwin, and Cpt. Reuben Grigsly Esqr. who will testify to his veracity, and to their belief of his having been a soldier in the service of the United States during the War of the Revolution and against the Whiskey Boys.
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.