| Notes |
- He was a lieutenant in the North Carolina militia in the Revolution. In Pike County, Kentucky in 1834, he was receiving an annual pension of $79.63.
Literally hundreds of trees on ancestry.com, including one that we helped assemble in the early days of our interest in genealogy, identify his parents as John Ford (1741-1774) and Ann Talbott (1742-1788). But if he was indeed born in 1756 or 1757, as census and pension records indicate, that would make his father 15 or 16 and his mother 14 or 15 at the time of his birth, which seems unlikely. A record exists of the birth of a Joseph Ford to a John and Ann Ford in Frederick, Maryland on 15 Feb 1761, but that is a tight (albeit not impossible) fit with his 1777 enlistment in Capt. Benjamin Cleveland's company. It seems much more likely that our Joseph Ford is the "Josephus Fort" recorded in the records of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland as born 14 Oct 1756 to Bernhard Fort, and separately recorded (also named as "Josephus Fort") being christened at Middletown, Frederick County, Maryland on 17 Oct 1756, father also given as Bernhard Fort. A record of the same christening exists in familysearch.org's database "Maryland, Church Records, 1668-1995" that places the event at Frederick, Frederick County instead, but is otherwise identical.
Untitled, unsigned document found on familysearch.org:
Researchers in North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland and Virginia, of necessity, must learn to piece together bits of indicative information to generate substance in proving relationships. Unlike the New England states where there were town records; unlike England where a state church required registration of baptisms and deaths, in colonial America outside of New England, probate, deed, tax, militia and other records must be used to establish family identity.
The following records, in my opinion, identify Joseph Ford born 1757 in Frederick Co., Maryland as being the son of Bernhardt Fort.
The Maryland Church Evidence:
The Moravian Church In Frederick County, Md was organized in 1758 (Oerter, Rev. A.L.: Graceham: Frederick County Maryland: An Historical Sketch - Family History Library FHL1321492 Item 7). However, in what appears to be a transcript of the original records in German and Latin, it is obvious the Moravian Church was active long before 1758. In fact, Rev. Oerter referrs to the period of Evangelistic Activity as from 1745-1758. From 1746-1749, the church met in private homes. A Geimenhaus or church and parsonage were not built until 1749. Even then, many people desiring to attend with this group, could not travel so far a distance, petitions to permit church meetings in private homes were granted.
In Rev. Oerter's book, he further states that the year 1756 was "one of great danger and distress for the residents owing to the hostile incursions of the Indians and that those who had farms up in the mountains were obliged to flee for their lives." (Ibid p. 22)
In what appears to be a transcript of the original church records (FHL20365), this entry is found written in Latin:
14 October 1756: Bernhard Fort who was slain by the Indians born is a son whose name is Joseph. Witnesses: Johannes Jehle (Isle) and his wife, Johanna Dorothea Elisabetha. Baptized on the 18th Sunday after Trinity.
It should be noted that the Latin word translated herein as "slain" actually has a more detailed translation. The meaning of the word according to the translator would denote that Bernhardt Ford was killed by being hit over the head.
The Language Evidence
America, being the home to immigrants from England and Europe, experienced a diversity of cultures and language. Each language has unique qualities. The German immigrant did not hear (nor recognize) the difference between the aspirated sound and the un-aspirated sound. Thus a T and a D sound alike. So do other consonants; i. e. F and V and P and B. Therefore, the surname Ford and Fort would be identical to a German speaking colonist.
This is documented by another land owner in Frederick County, Henry Ford. In the Maryland Land Patents, Henry Ford of Frederick County, Maryland received White Oak Spring (Maryland Hall of Records: Maryland Land Patents BY&GS no. 4 p. 165: FHL13094; also BY&GS no. 5 p. 493 FHL13095) Yet, in the Frederick Co., Maryland deed books, when Henry Ford sells this land, his name is recorded as Henry Fore. (Frederick County Maryland Clerk of the Land Office, Deed Books F p. 1267, p. 1281; Book K p. 139, 170, 204, 212, 214, 256, --1763-1767: Henry Fore, grantor)
Some time ago, a correspondent suggested that the father of Joseph Ford might be Varner Fore (Fort) who lived in the area of Skythorn in Frederick County, Md. I initially did not think this should be taken too seriously. Certainly, on April 5, 1753 Varner Fore had purchased land in Skythorn from Daniel Ashcraft. (Frederick Co., Md Clerk of the Land Office: Frederick Co., Md Deed Book E p. 298-299)
The Land Evidence:
Land patents in Maryland were named. Therefore it is possible to see through the probate records combined with the county deed records the transfer of land through inheritance in Maryland. The Maryland Land Patents identify the original owners, county location of the tract at the time of the assumption by the original owner, and the name of the tract.
After having acquired the software program, Deed Mapper, I plotted out the Maryland Land Patent, Skythorn. (See Peter Dent Survey: Skythorn and Skythorn as drawn on Deed Mapper) Then having transcribed all the deeds involving Skythorn, I attempted to place these within the patent. This effort involves not only the challenges of metes and bounds;but once the tract boundaries were established, frequently the deeds would only give a starting point and then follow with something like "to run the several courses and meanders until 50 acres is obtained."
On July 11, 1767, Peter Ford sold 58 1/2 acres within Skythorn to Andrew Boyd. (Frederick County Maryland Clerk of the Land Office Deed Book L -p. 139) The wording is important:
Peter Ford...doth sell...unto Andrew Boyd all that tracel of land called Skythorn and part of the resurvey on Skythorn lying and being in Frederick County...beginning at a bounded hickory standing at the end of ten perches on the tenth line of Sky Thorn and running thencefoth....
(See sources on Peter Ford for more complete transcription of this deed)
Metes and bounds deeds are rarely accurate as to acreage. However, an 18 acre disparity would be unlikely. However, note that, in Deed Book L p. p. 139, Skythorn was resurveyed." Not only was it resurveyed, but the metes and bounds description in Book L p. 139 is far more detailed. The 18 acre disparity may well have been adjustments made apparent by the resurvey. It is reasonable that a resurvey of metes and bounds land may result in a significant modification of the original acreage.
To my surprise, in positioning Varner Fore's land (Book E p. 298-299) and that land sold by Peter Ford (Book L p. 139), it was obvious the tracts are contiguous and likely, even in the same location.
Of tremendous significance to the identity of the parents of Peter and Joseph Ford is the dower release on the Frederick Co., Md Deed Book L. p.139. On July 17, 1767, Peter Ford acknowledged the deed:
Then came the within named Peter Ford before...the Justices of Frederick County and did acknowledge the ... deed...to be the property of Andrew Boyd...and at the same time came Ann Wells, mother to the above Peter Ford and her husband William Wells and doth acknowledge their right of dower of the within lands.
Unfortunately, to date, no probate or court record has been found either establishing guardians for Joseph Ford or Peter Ford. Nor has there been any estate settlement, either testate or intestate, discovered. The Commonwealth of Virginia did follow the English rights of primogeniture. The eldest son would inherit the land or bulk of the property.
In Frederick Co., Md Inventories on 7 Nov 1760, there is a list of debts to the estate of Valentine Graw (Clerk of the Land Office; Frederick,Md: Md Inventories p. 481 7 Nov 1760-FHL14046). Among the entries for the "desperate debts" is Barney Ford. A desperate debt is a debt that is not able to be collected. Since Barney Ford had died in 1756, it is reasonable to assume the debt could not be collected.
The Court Record Evidence
Through the technology of digitization and the Maryland State Archives, it is possible to receive records through the Internet that are available in no other way except by visiting the Maryland State Archives. To this end, one section of Frederick County, Maryland Court Records. There are many Frederick Co., Md court records in this collection and they are excellent in their scope. However, to date, there has been found no evidence of guardianship, intestate or other probate action involving Ann Ford, Ann Wells, Peter and or Joseph Ford. The effort continues.
However, William Wells is found within these court records.
William Wells, malt - at Fort Frederick - constable of Fort Frederick 100
The Political Situation in Frederick County, Maryland in 1755-1756
The French and Indian War began in 1755. It lasted seven years. See the attachment: Background Information on the Forts Built Before and During the French and Indian War to Protect the Settlers from the Threat of the Native Americans. See also the abstracts from Draper Manuscripts JJ Volume 1 Newspaper Abstracts 1752-1769 (Draper Manuscripts JJ Vol 1 Newspaper Extracts 1752-1768: Original manuscripts located at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin; microfilms at the Family History Library, SLC, UT)
Fort Frederick and The Ford Family
Oral family tradition is that the Ford/Foard family were integrally involved in some manner with Fort Frederick. (Lynden Ford Moser: Bethlehem Court, Hagerstown, Maryland, received by e-mail)
Skythorn borders Fort Frederick. In fact, Peter and Jacob Cline were prevailed upon to sell part of their land for Fort Frederick. That land was in the Skythorn tract. William Wells was a constable in the Fort Frederick Hundred.
1. Joseph Ford states in his pension application16 that he was born in 1757 in Frederick Co., Maryland and lived in Burke Co., North Carolina at the time of enlistment. In 1809 he moved to Floyd Co., Kentucky that later becoming part of Pike Co., Kentucky. Further Joseph Ford states he knows his "age from the information I received from my parents." (Affidavit of Joseph Ford. Pension No. S15429 U. S. Revolutionary War Pension Records, National Archives: Washington D.C. as found in Family History Library, SLC, UT- FHL971001)
a. Joseph Ford stated he received information from his parents. Bernhardt Fort was killed by the Indians in 1756 and the only parent Joseph Ford knew was William Wells, the second husband of his mother, Ann Wells. There is evidence that William Wells lived in Tennessee.
b. Peter Ford was a resident of Frederick Co., Maryland and is shown on an Estray List there. (Wright, F. Edward: Early List of Frederick Countians 1765-1775: Estray List : Peter Ford - Sep 20, 1765) Further, Peter Ford sold land on 18 Dec 1767 in Frederick Co., Maryland. (Deed of Sale from Peter Ford of Frederick Co., Md to Andrew Boyd of Cumberland Co., Pa - 17 July 1767; Recorded Dec 1767: Frederick Co., Md Deed Book L p. 139 -Family History Library , SLC, Ut: FHl13941) In that deed, Ann Wells, the mother of Peter Ford and wife of William Wells releases her dower right. (Book L. p. 39: Frederick Co.,Md Deeds) The dower release substantiates 1) that the seller, Peter Ford was most probably although a legal adult, quite young and 2) that the mother of Peter Ford was named Ann and had remarried to William Wells.
c. William Wells married before 18 Dec 1767 to Ann Ford, a widow in Frederick County, Maryland. Thereafter, William and Ann (aka Mary Ann) Wells remove probably with her sons, Joseph and Peter Ford to Washington Co., Tennessee. (Fischer, Marjorie Hood: Tennesseans Before 1800: Washington Co., Tennessee-Galveston, Tx: Frontier Press Bookstore, 1996; Family History Library; SLC, Ut Call No. 976.897N22f-Michael Smith Peter's Dist p. 25:1779: William Well-5 entries of land the whole amounting to 800 acres; 2 mairs(sic); 7 head of cattle, no cash in hand; bond on interest at 23 on usery; 1st and 5th Districts FHL825545)
d. Both Peter and Joseph Ford are shown as living on Avingdons Creek and Lower Creek in Burke Co., North Carolina. (Landed Entry Books for Burke County, NC 1778-1795 Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1963, 1965-Family History Library; SLC, Ut: FHL988930)
e. Joseph Ford states he served under Thomas Whitson in his pension application. In Washington Co., TN, Thomas Whitson is the witness to the land sale along with Joseph Ford and William Mourland. (Rae, Lorraine: Washington Co., Tennessee Deeds Vol. 1 1775-1800; Vol 2 1797-1817, Greenville, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, 1991) William Mourland (Moreland) was the spouse of Sarah Baldwin Ford, the widow of Peter Ford. (Huggins, Edith Warren: Burke County North Carolina Land Records 1751-1809 "Miscellaneous Papers of Civil and Criminal Cases" - Easley, SC: Southern Historical Press, 1987. Family History Library; SLC, UT Call No. 975.685R2h
f. Peter Ford was a Captain in the Burke Co., NC militia (White, Emmet R. Revolutionary War Soldiers of Western North Carolina: Burke County. Vol 2 - Easley, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, 1984, 1989: Family History Library, SLC, UT Call No. 975.685M2w p. 77, p. 116) AND (Weaks, Mabel Clark: Calendar of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts Vol. 3 Kings Mountain Papers.-Utica, Ke, McDowell Publications, 1983- Family History Library; SLC, UT Call No. 977.5A2ws - Draper Reference No. 2DD p.214-219:James Blair entered service in Burke Co., North Carolina; served under Captain Peter Ford.)
2 Joseph Ford is shown living on the same land which his brother, Peter Ford, acquired in Burke Co., NC
a. Peter Ford acquires from William Sumter land in Burke Co., North Carolina. The description shows that the land was 150 acres on Avingdon's Creek, branch of Lower Creek. (Land Entry Books for Burke County, North Carolina 1778-1795 Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1963, 1965- Found in Family History Library; SLC, UT: FHL988930. No. 263 p. 88 - Entered 14 February 1778)
b. Peter Ford acquires 150 acres of land in the lower creek joining the lower end of Coonrod Caron's Survey Entered: 14 Feb 1778. (FHL988930 Burke County Land Entry Book - no. 264 - p. 89)
c. Peter Ford acquires 350 acres at the mouth of Avingtons Creek and on both sides of the main Lower Creek. 24 Feb 1778 (FHL988930 Burke County Land Entry Book p. 89)
d. Burke County, NC Land Grants: 1783: Henry Williams 150 acres on Avington's Creek adjacent the improvement Joseph Ford now lives on. No. 1445: Recorded 18 Jan 1781. ("Burke County North Carolina Land Grant Abstracts" Journal of the Burke County Genealogical Society Vol. 15 no. 3, 1997)
3. Oldest son of Joseph Ford (born 1757 in Frederick Co., Maryland) was named Peter Ford in honor of Joseph Ford's brother.
a. Feb 1811: Joseph Ford, constable of the Upper District resigns. Peter Ford appointed in his stead. Securities:: Silas Ratliff, Benjamin Pearce and Richard Damron. (See FHL837281 Floyd Co., Kentucky Court Orders)
a-1: It was frequent practice for a father to son transfer of court appointments. Consistent with traditional early American naming patterns, the oldest son is generally named after the paternal grandfather. Further Peter Ford does not appear in a militia unit until Feb 1811 even though Joseph Ford has long been appearing in court appointments and militia.
b. Information from Peter Ford and Joseph Ford is given to the court in June 1811 that "James Ratliff, Jesse Adkins, Richard Parsons and James Belshe for a conspiracy to beat Joseph Ford arbitrarily and to drive said Ford out of the county." (Floyd County Kentucky Circuit Court Oder Books 1808-1818 - Frankfort, Kentucky: Department of Libraries and Archives, filmed 1991 by Genealogical Society of Utah, FHL1844113 p. 116-387) This case apparently continues involving Letitia Sewards (the widow of Thomas Sewards) (Order Books 1814-1817: Floyd Co., Ke Courthouse,Prestonburg, Kentucky: FHL836835: Nov 1815 p. 121: Letitia Sowards is widow of Thomas G. Sowards (also spelled Sewards). James Ratliff, guardian of minor heirs of Thomas G. Sowards, deceased, namely Susannah, Thomas, Charles and Mahala Sowards.) The case also involves Sarah Baker (who married in 1813 Jesse Venters, a neighbor of Joseph Ford (Marriage Records of Floyd Co., Kentucky: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT: FHL2109935: Jesse Venters marriage to Sary Baker 26 June 1813)
Ultimately Peter Ford, Letitia Sewards, Sarah Baker are convicted of perjury. There are multiple on-going and apparently related court suits and counter-suits within this film ultimately with Sally Baker, a plaintiff against Joseph and Peter Ford. This suit was abated by the marriage of the plaintiff. (Floyd Co., Ke Circuit Court Order Books 1808-1818 (Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, 1991 filming. Family History Library: FHL1844112 p. 25 October 1813)
b-1. The court records indicate that several depositions were required of both the defendants and the plaintiffs in some of these cases. An effort should be made to obtain photocopies of these depositions as they may well have significant family information within them.
c. To the best of my knowledge, Peter Ford (son of Joseph Ford) does not appear in Washington Co., TN records thus indicating he was attaining majority near the time Joseph Ford, the father, moved to Floyd Co., Kentucky.
3. The administrators of the estate of "Peter Ford, late of Burke Co., NC" are William Mooreland and Sarah Mooreland. (Burke County North Carolina Probate Files 20 July 1784: Raleigh, NC: Division of Archives and History, filmed 1994 FHL1976453: Estate Records Erwin to Fullwood)
a. William Mooreland and Sarah Mooreland are associates of Joseph Ford in Burke Co., NC. William Mourland and Joseph Ford witness the 15 Aug 1795 deed of Samuel Garland to John Baker. (Washington County, Tennessee Deeds 1775-1800: Deed Books p. 1767-177) Furthermore, William Mourland and Sarah Mourland witness the 19 April 1791 deed of John and Ruth Hoskins to Catron Smith Petter. (Washington County Tennessee Deeds 1775-1800: Washington County NC: Deed Books p. 233)
b. In Washington Co., TN, both Joseph Ford and William Mourland owned land on Rones (Roans)Creek. (See Joseph Ford deed to Joseph Biship for 50 acres on East side of Roan Creek dated 30 May 1793 and William Mourland deed of 3 August 1788 for 100 acres on Roans Creek. Furthermore, in 1794, William Mourland purchased another 100 acres on Roans Creek)
c. It is important to add that documented evidence for the given name, "Ruth" as the wife of Joseph Ford is also in the Washington County, Tennessee deeds. (Washington Co., Tennessee Deeds: p. 91 - 1 June 1791 p. 226-227) In June 1791 Joseph and Ruth Ford sell 170 acres on the South side of the Wataugua River adjoining John Mays to Samuel Tate. (Note Samuel Tate appears frequently with Joseph Ford in court and deed records)
d. The Mooreland family are known to be early settlers of Carter Co., TN. In fact, Carter Co., TN was split off from Burke Co., TN in 1796. They were neighbors of Joseph Ford, whose land was sold by the sheriff of Carter County to satisfy debts in 1809. (Washington County Tennessee deeds 1775-1800: p. 249-251 and p. 399-400)
e. For additional references to William and Sarah Mooreland as well as Joseph Ford, the reader is directed to TENNESSEANS BEFORE 1800. (Fischer, Marjorie H. TENNESSEANS BEFORE 1800, Frontier Press, Galvestan, Tx , 1996. Family History Library Call No. 976.897M22f) In addition, there is compiled information not yet acquired regarding the Mooreland family in Carter Co., Tennessee which may further shed light on these inter-relationships.
4. The Jack family connection:
a. John Jack married Freelove Ford, the daughter of James and Sarah Ford abt 1795 in Washington Co., Maryland.(Washington County Maryland Deed Book Z p. 25)
b. Jack family in Washington Co, Md.
c. James Jack witnessed two of Peter Ford's land grants in Burke Co., North Carolina. (See sources: Peter Ford Land Grants)
[PNH: Oddly, a variant version of the above document, also unattributed, exists on ancestry.com; it shares many of the same sentences and paragraphs, but its basic argument is that Joseph Ford's father was Peter Ford. Examination of both documents makes it clear that the version reproduced above was composed later, presumably after its author found information indicating that Bernhard Ford was the father of both Joseph and Peter Ford.]
Pension application of Joseph Ford (found on familysearch.org):
State of Kentucky Pike County: SS
On the 25th day of February 1834 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Pike County Court now sitting Joseph Ford a resident of Kentucky in the County of Pike age 77 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 provision made by 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 first entered the service as a volunteer in the militia of North Carolina in the month of September in the year 1777 in a company of which Benjamin Cleveland was Captain. The name of the other company officers he does not recollect. He met his company at Kriders fort in Burke County North Carolina on the 3rd day of September 1777 as above stated. From here we marched to Davis's Fort on the head of the Catawba River in the said County of Burke where this applicant was placed in a light horse company commanded by Captain __ Bartlett -- Colonel Francis Locke was commanding Colonel of the Regiment to which Captain Cleveland's company belonged. General Rutherford was the commander in chief. From Davis's Fort we marched on an expedition against the Cherokee Indians at what was then called the "Near Settlement" and the "Overhill Towns" and marching on passed the "Near Settlement" (the Indians had fled before our arrival there) in a short distance from the Overhill towns we fell in with the Indians and had a hot engagement with them and they were defeated and fled. We then marched on to the Overhill Towns & burned the houses or huts and corn belonging to the Indians and everything that could conduce to their sustenance that we could get hold of except a few horses and cattle that we carried home with us. From here we marched back to the head of the Catawba River to Davis's Fort and after lying there four months as Garrison to guard the frontiers against the incursions of the Indians (scouting parties from the Fort being almost continually out) he received a discharge on the 18th day of March 1778 signed by Captain __ Bartlett having been in service in this tour six months and 15 days.
He next went into the service in the militia of North Carolina as a volunteer in the company of which Thomas Whitson was the Captain John Baldwin to the best of his recollection was the Lieutenant of the company. The names of the other company officers he does not recollect. Colonel Charles McDowell was the commanding Colonel of the Regiment to which his company belonged. He joined his company at Crider's Fort in the said County of Burke and went into the service in this tour on the first day of April 1778. From here we marched to the head of the Catawba River and after marching over adjacent country & seeing no sign of the Indians (Cherokees) we returned down the River and at the crossing of the North fork of the Catawba River we were met by a considerable number of Indian Warriors belonging to the Cherokee nation & had an engagement with them in which Zebulon Shelton a private was killed and seven or eight of our troops wounded among whom were captains White and Whitson, White afterwards died of his wounds and Whitson recovered -- the Indians were vanquished in the engagement and fled and we could not ascertain how many of them were killed as they carried off their dead with them. From here we marched back to Crider's Fort where Captain Whitson and his company remained as a Garrison to guard the frontiers against the incursions of the Indians while we remained here spies and Scouting parties were continually out from the Fort to watch for the approach of the Indians. After remaining at the Fort at the least four months under Captain Whitson on the fourth day of October 1778 he received a discharge signed by Captain Thomas Whitson having been in the service in this tour six months and seven days.
He next went into the service in the militia of North Carolina in a company of North Carolina militia of which Lieutenant __ Carthy acted as Captain -- There was no Captain in command of the company. The names of the Ensign & sergeants he does not recollect. He went as a volunteer in this tour and joined his company at Crider's Fort on the 25th day of October 1778. From here we marched up to Davis Fort on the head of Catawba River where we went as a Garrison to guard the frontiers and after remaining there 5 months and 18 days he was on the 28th day of April 1779 discharged his discharge was signed by Lieutenant __ Carthy having been in the Service in this tour six months and 3 days.
He was next in the month of July in the year 1781 commissioned by Governor Martin Governor of North Carolina aged Lieutenant in the militia of that State. He joined his company at Bulner's Mill on Roans Creek in the County of Washington North Carolina on about the last day of August 1781. Captain James Roddy was the Captain and Charles Asher the Ensign of the company in which he was Lieutenant. The name of the Sergeant he does not recollect. Colonel John Sevier was the commanding Colonel and Major Valentine Sevier his brother the Major of the Regiment to which his company belonged. From Bulner's Mill we marched over the Stoney Mountains (then so called) and met our commanding Colonel on the Catawba River and then marched on to Camden in South Carolina where we halted but a short time and then marched down to since the Santee Swamps in the same State (South Carolina) and there joined the General Marion and scoured over the Swamp and surrounding country in various directions after the Tories and at the Moncks Corner we fell in with a body of Tories and after a sharp conflict with them we vanquished them took 90 of them prisoners and the rest escaped. After marching over the country around the Santee Swamps and driving the Tories out of their places of concealment where they had collected we returned through Camden and from there across the line between North and South Carolina and then up Devils Creek a branch of the Catawba and then over the mountains and down the Watauga River to Washington County and he received a discharge on the 12th day of February 1782 having been in the service in this tour 5 months and 13 days.
At the time that he entered the Service in the last tour he resided in Washington County North Carolina at the time of entering the Service in all the other tours he resided in Burke County North Carolina.
He has no documentary evidence by which he can prove his services.
The court then propounded to the said Joseph Ford the following interrogatories to wit
1st Where and in what year were you born?
Ans: In the year 1757 in the County of Frederick and then colony of Maryland
2nd Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Ans: I have none -- I only know my age from the information I received from my parents
3rd Where were you living when called into service: where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Ans: I lived in Burke County North Carolina when I first entered the service I resided in North Carolina -- Since the Revolutionary War till about 25 years ago when I removed to Kentucky in the then County of Floyd. The County of Floyd has since been divided and included me in the County of Pike Kentucky where I now reside.
4th How were you called into service; were you drafted; did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if in substitute, for whom?
Ans: I went in all my tours as a volunteer -- Never under a draft or as a substitute.
5th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served, such Continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Ans: These are as fully set forth in my declaration as my recollection will enable me to do.
6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Ans: I received a discharge signed by Captain Bartlett at the end of the second I received a discharge signed by Captain Whitson At the end of the third tour I received a discharge signed by Lieutenant __ Carthy And at the end of the fourth and last tour I received a discharge signed by Captain James Roddy all of which have been lost
Did you ever receive a commission and if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it
Ans: I received a commission signed by Governor Martin Governor of North Carolina which was lost with my discharges -- but in what manner the commission and discharges were lost I am not able to say
7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief in your services as a soldier in the revolution.
Ans: I will name the Reverend William Tackett, Simeon Justin and Henry Weddington [William Tackett, a clergyman, Simeon Justin & Henry Weddington gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $79.23 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for service as a private for 23 months and 23 days in the North Carolina militia.]
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Nielsen Hayden genealogy
1756 - 1845 (89 years)
[1, 2]