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Captain Henry Connelly's
Pension Declaration
15 August 1833


DECLARATION


On this 15th day of August, 1833, personnally appeared before me, James Davis, a Justice of the Peace now sitting, HENRY CONNELLY, a resident of Floyd County, and State of Kentucky, aged Eighty one 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:


That he entered the service and commanded one hundred State troops of North Carolina (called militia) as the Captain thereof on the 7th day of July 1777, for five years or during the war in the County of Guilford, North Carolina. His Colonel in the first instance was Colonel John Williams. Then under Colonel Paisley. Then by Colonel John Taylor.


And lastly, by Colonel Billy Washington. This applicant's company was a Horse Company and was raised for the especial purpose of keeping down a daring Tory Colonel by the name of Fanning who had made several daring attempts in the neighborhood of Salisbury and Charlotte. During the first year of the service of this applicant, by the orders of his Colonel, the company traversed and marched to Rowan and Guilford in order to keep Fanning and his confederates down. During this year, in the month of October, the company encountered his scouts and routed them with some loss. The general rendezvous of the Tories was in that region of the country called the Haw Ford on the Haw River.


These counties and the adjacent neighborhood was assigned to the applicant's charge by His Excellency the Govenor of North Carolina, in the month of June 1778.


And that winter he and his company rendezvoused at Salisbury. The particulars of this years service was only a few fights with the Tories. The War was raging in the North, whither that distinguished and active officer, Colonel William Davidson had gone, and all remaining for the constituted authorities to do was to keep down the Tories, which were so numerous in this region of North Carolina. During this year 1778, the men suffered much for clothes and every necessary, and our forage master frequently had to press forage for our perishing horses.


Continential money was then one hundred dollars for one - for this applicant could not get a breakfast for $100 in Continental money. During this year, by order of the Govenor, this applicant's company was placed under the direction of Colonel Davie, who then commanded the North Carolina Cavalry; but he renewed the old orders, and my district still remained as under my former orders.


Early in March, 1779, the Tories broke out with great fury at a place called the Haw Fields, whither this applicant and his horse company repaired and dislodged them with the assistance of Colonel Lyttle from Rowan who commanded a regiment of militia. During this year the Tories were fast accumulating in Rowan, and this applicant's Horse Company was almost withdrawn from Guilford to that section of North Carolina. The Whigs this year took a great many Tories, who were all put in jail at Hillsborough (Hillsboro) and Salisbury.


In the month of November 1779, orders were received by Colonel Paisley from Colonel Davie, the Commanding Colonel, to rendezvous at Salisbury to the South to join General Lincoln at Savannah, but about this time news arrived that General Lincoln was overtaken at Charlestown, and all were taken prisoners.


General Davidson now raised several hundred men, and Colonel Brevard had several skirmishes with the Loyalists, in which this applicant and his company actively participated at Colson's Mills.


About this time at a place in the western part of the state (N.C.) the Tories had collected to a great number and we marched against them and (met them) at Colson's Mills.


This was in the month of May 1780, as well as this applicant recollects. He recollects well that it was just before or about the time of Gates' defeat at Camden. During this winter and the fall this applicant's company abandoned his district of "protection" and under Colonel Davie and General Davidson opposed the passage of Lord Cornwallis through North Carolina.


At the time of approach of Cornwallis to Charlotte, under Colonel Davie the troops posted themselves to meet the enemy. On the enemy's approach the companies commanded by this applicant received the first onset from Tarleton's Cavalry, and the firing became general on the left wing. The troops were commanded by Colonel Davie in person, and for three times we succeeded in repulsing the enemy. At length we had to yield to superior numbers. In this battle we had many men killed, several from under this applicant.


In December, just before Christmas, General Nathaniel Greene, from the north, took command of us all. This was in 1780. We all, by his proclamation and the orders of our Govenor, were placed under his command, and assembled at Charlotte. From there this applicant was placed under Colonel Washington and Marched to Augusta and Ninety Six. After marching in a southern direction for several days news came that Tarleton was after us. We were all now under General Morgan, and a terrible conflict ensued at the Cowpens between Tarleton's men and the army under General Morgan.


Here the Americans were victorious and took a great many military stores, cannons, baggage and six or seven hundred British and Tory Prisoners. This was in January 1781. It was cold weather but inclined to be raining during this battle. The company which belonged to this applicant was placed under Colonel Howard, on the extreme right of the Division, and this applicant commanded a company in the center. Our company, when just about to catch up to our horses was hid about four hundred paces in the rear of the line of battle. (The enemy) fell upon us with great fury, but we were fortunately relieved by Washington's Legion that hastened to our assistance.


After this engagement we all formed a junction with General Greene, and retreated with him to Dan (River) and crossed over into Virginia and remaining there but a short period, marched back to Guilford Courthouse, and this applicant actively participated in that memorable battle, and he had the mortification to see his men in a panic fly at the approach of the enemy; and although this applicant endeavored to rally them, it was impossible, and many even retreated to their homes. But this applicant remained and continued to fight until the Americans were thrown into disorder and confusion and defeated.


About this time or a few days afterwards, this applicant being unwell, and his company broken, obtained a respite for a while, which was granted him (by the Govenor). He remained at home and did not go with General Greene to Ninety Six.


During this summer he did all he could to get his company to assemble. Their cry was "no pay" and their families required them at home. He then went from Guilford over into Virginia, and in September 1781, he raised a small volunteer company for three months, to join General Washington at Little York (Yorktown). Little York was, however taken before this applicant arrived.


He knew a great many Continental Officers, and regiments, and Militia Officers, during his service. In the Month of October the term of service of the Company from Montgomery County, Virginia, just mentioned, expiring, he gave them their discharges, and he himself returned to North Carolina, where he received the thanks of the Govenor and a certificate stating his services.


This applicant knew General Smallwood, General Davidson, General Rutherford, General Pickens, General Sumner, General Otho Williams, Colonel Cleveland, Colonel Lyttle, Colonel William Washington Colonel Malmody? (Malmedy)?, Colonel Lee (Light Horse Harry-from Virginia), General Goodwin, Colonel J. E. Howard, who commanded the Third Maryland Regiment, Captain Holgin, Colonel Paisley, John Williams. The Baron Dekalb, Colonel Brevard and many other Continental and Militia Officers that he now forgotten.


He has now no documentary evidence in his favor, having forwarded his commission about six years ago by General Alexander Lackey to the War Department. It has never been returned to this applicant. He received a letter from the Secretary of War informing him that as he was not a regular he could not be allowed (his pension). His commission was from the Govenor of North Carolina. He has made search and inquiry for it for sometime, and he believes the same is lost or mislaid. He refers the War Department to Henry B. Mayo, Esq., The Honorable David K. Harris, to Colonel Francis A. Brown, to Colonel John Van Hoose, the Reverand Henry Dixon, the Reverend Cuthbert Stone, the Reverend Samuel Hanna, the Reverend Ezekiel Stone, Reverend Wallace Bailey, to Andrew Rule, Esq., to John Rice, and to Jacob Mayo, Esq., Clerk of the Floyd County Circuit Courts.


These can testify to his character for his veracity and their belief of this applicant's service as a soldier and officer of the Revolution.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
signed - Henry Connelly (seal)


Att: J. Davis We, Wallace Bailey, a Clergyman, residing in the County of Floyd and State of Kentucky, and John Rice, residing in the same, to wit Floyd County, Kentucky, hereby certify that they are well acquainted with Henry Connelly, who has subscribed and sworn to the above application, that we believe him to be eighty-one years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
(signed)
Wallis Baily (seal)
John Rice (seal)


And I do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier (an officer) and served as he states. An I further certify that it appears to me that Wallis Bailey who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Floyd and state of Kentucky, and that John Rice, who has also signed the same, is a resident of the County of Floyd and state of Kentucky, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit, and do further certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend court.
(signed) James Davis, J.P.F.Co. (seal)


INTERROGATORIES


Question: Where and what year were you born?

Answer: I was born in Pennsylvania, Chester County, on the 2nd day of May 1751.


Question: Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?

Answer: I have it in my Bible, recorded there by my Father (In Dutch). I have it at my house.


Question: Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?

Answer: I was living in Guilford County North Carolina, where I have lived since my father moved from Chester (County), Pennsylvania, up to the Revolution. I have lived three years in the County of Montgomery, in the State of Virginia, and the residue of the time I have lived in this County- where I now live.


Question: How were you called into service. Were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom?

Answer: I was a volunteer, under the Government of North Carolina by an invitation from the Govenor, and (my Command) were called State Troops or Militia. A part of the men under my command were drafted men for eighteen months. A Small portion was for six months, and about forty were volunteers for and during the War. I was called into service by a recruiting officer by the name of Holgin, I think a regular officer. I made up my company and reported to the Colonel and went forthwith into active service.


Question: Did you ever receive a Commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?

Answer: I did receive a Captain's Commission from Govenor Burke of North Carolina. It was, I believe signed by him. I gave it about six years ago to General Lackey, who says he sent it to the War Department, he thinks. I have made search and cannot find it. It was never returned to me.


Question: 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.

Answer: I knew General Greene, I have seen General Gates at Hillsboro. (I knew) General Smallwood, General Davidson, General Pickens, General Sumner, General Otho Williams, Colonel Billy Washington. Colonel Lee, Colonel Howard, the Baron Dekalb. I have seen in 1780, Captain Holgin, Colonel John Williams, Colonel Nat Williams, who commanded the Ninth Regiment North Carolina Militia in 1778, Colonel Paisley, Colonel Buncombe, Captain Charles Briant, Colonel Brevard, Major (often called Colonel) De Malmody, and old Colonel Cleveland., Lieutenant Joseph Lewis, Major Charles Anderson, and William Boma Ensign. I was directed by Govenor Burke and Colonel Davie to keep down Fanning in Guilford and Rowan. This applicant did with one hundred men, a horse company. He served in 1777 in this capacity, likewise in 1778 and until the fall of 1779. He then joined General Davidson and was with him at the battle of Colson's Mills where he (General Davis) got wounded.
This was in May or June 1780. He was at the battle of Hillsboro and had nineteen of his horsemen killed on the field and seven died the next day of their wounds. I was in the battle of COWPENS, under Colonel Washington and Colonel Howard in January 1781, and Tarleton was defeated and we took his baggage and several hundred prisoners. I retreated with my horse company with General Greene to Dan (River) - went over into Virginia, and remained with the Army until the battle of Guilford (Courthouse). I was in that battle and my men broke very near at first charge, in a panic, and fled, and many went even home. When my roll was called at the Iron Works I had but a few men left.
I was then taking in a few days afterwards sick, and was permitted for my health to retire for awhile from the service. This was in April 1781. Gen. Greene went to S. Carolina and went over into Montgomery County Virginia to see my relatives, and I here raised a three months volunteer company to march to Little York. I marched them on to the Big Lick in Botetourt County, in September, and waited for orders but before I received them it was too late, and I gave my men their discharges and we all went home.


Question: 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 of your services as a soldier and officer of the Revolution.

Answer: I refer to General Lackey, to Colonel Brown, Colonel T. W. Graham, to Austin Litteral, to Jacob Mayo, Esq., to Andrew Rule, to the Rev. Ezekiel Stone, to Rev Wallis Bailey.
Sworn to before me.
(signed) James Davis.
J.P.F.C. (seal)





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