Revolutionary War Pension Application of William Barron

William Barron, S #1788.

Contributed by Edgar M. “Russ” Bralley

January 23, 1833, Washington County, Tennessee.  William Barron. of said county, aged 78 years, stated that while living in Montgomery County, Virginia, he was as he believes drafted in the fall of the year 1775 and entered the service of the United States under John Brooly [John Bralley], a sergeant, and served under him about one month in guarding Harbert's [Herbert's] Ferry in that county [now Wythe], against the Indians though no invasion occurred during that time.  He again enlisted or volunteered in the company commanded by Sergeant Alexander Neely under whom he served between two and three months in guarding the lead mines of Montgomery [now Wythe] County.  He again enlisted under Lieutenant Frederick Edwards and served three months under Captain Jacob Stevens, during which he marched to Long Island on the Holston River in what was then a part of North Carolina where his company joined the regiment of Colonel Preston. After remaining at Long Island a few days, an express came to Colonel Preston from the Rye Cove Fort on the Clinch River requesting assistance as the Indians had made some incursions in that quarter and killed a few of the inhabitants. Captain Stevens' Company marched to their assistance, and he being one of them. After serving a few days in Rye Cove Fort, intelligence was received that Mr. Cooke who had been sent out as a spy had been killed by the Indians. He, with the rest of Steven's commune, spent a few days scouting Powell’s Valley with the view of discovering the Indians but failing this, they buried Cooke and returned to the fort. They returned to Long Island [of the Holston] and having served three months, were discharged by Captain Stevens and Colonel Preston.  He then returned to New River in Montgomery County and was drafted under Lieutenant Ewens with whom he served four or six weeks. He went under him to Blue Stone [Bluestone] River where the Indians had committed depredations and the inhabitants had been alarmed and sent for their assistance, but after he remained in that neighborhood four or five weeks without meeting the Indians they returned. After that he removed to Washington County, North Carolina, where perhaps in the fall of 1783 he volunteered under Captain Thomas Hardeman under whom he marched to the bend of Chucky [Nolichucky] where his company joined the regiment of Colonel Sevier. He then marched under him through the Cherokee nation to Coosa River on which occasion Rogers Town, and Bull Town and some others were burnt. They also destroyed a town called Estanaula on the Cousa and having crossed that river, they proceeded up it to the mountains where he re-crossed the Cousa and returned back through the Cherokee nation to the Tennessee River where the troops were disbanded and he received a verbal discharge from Colonel Sevier. During this excursion several prisoners were taken and one or two persons killed. On this occasion he served about six weeks. He thinks he was in actual service altogether about nine months.  He was born on the Eastern Shore in Talbert [Talbot] County, Maryland, in the year 1753. He lived a year or two in Dorset County, Maryland, from whence when quite young he emigrated to Rowan County, North Carolina, where he lived several years and went to Montgomery County in Virginia, from which place he came to Washington County, North Carolina, now Tennessee, where he has lived ever since, a period of perhaps fifty years. He has no documentary evidence to establish his statements and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify as to his service, except so far as a part of it may be established by Shadrack Murray.

January 1833, Washington County, Tennessee.  Shadrack Murray of said county stated that he was well acquainted with William Barron ever since he lived in Rowan County, North Carolina. He believed him to be 78 years of age and a man of veracity. He knows personally of his having in the year 1783 entered the service of the United States while living in Washington County, North Carolina, under Captain Thomas Hardman. He was in the same company and the same campaign and knows that the above statement of service that took place during that campaign made by Mr. Barron is true, as he was present on all the occasions referred to.

Washington County, Tennessee, January 23, 1833.  Rowland P. Maury certified that he is acquainted with William Barron and believed him to be about 78 years of age and he is believed to be a soldier of the Revolution.

William Barron was allowed a pension. Certificate #5951 issued February 20, 1833 at the rate of $23.23 per annum commenced March 4, 1831 under the Act of 7 June 1832 at Jonesborough, Tennessee.