28 Aug 1832 -- Revolutionary pension application of William Snodgrass.
State of Tennessee, Sullivan County
On this 22 day of August 1832 personally appeared before the
Trustees of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Session for said County
now sitting William Snodgrass, Esq. A resident of the county and
state aforesaid. Aged 72 years, who being first duly sworn according
to law doth on his oath make this 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 as a volunteer in the
year 1775 or 1776 under Capt. George Adams by order of Col. Arthur
Campbell who was the Colonel Commander in Washington Co., VA, at
that time he states that he was kept in said county to guard the
frontier inhabitants against the Indians deprecations. He states
that he remained in the service about six months and was verbally
discharged by the said Capt. George Adams.
He states that the summer following he volunteered under the
same Capt. and for the same purpose and under the same circumstances
and continued the same length of time in the United States service
and was discharged by the said Capt. George Adams, verbally. He
states that in the year 1778 or 1779 he volunteered under William
Edmonston, Capt. and was marched to New Garden Fort on the waters
of Clinch River, now in Russell County Virginia during which tour
he was also at Richland Fort, Capt. Smith's Fort, and Elk Garden
Fort and during which tour the Shawnee Indians, as a part of them,
were frequently killing the inhabitants on the frontier settlements
and on one occasion he in company with others pursued a party of
Indians below the Big Lik on Sandy River. When we overtook the
party of Indians routed and pursued them to Cumberlain Mts. He
states that he was in th service during this tour which was not
less than six or eight weeks and that he was verbally discharged
by the said William Edmonston and that in two or three days after
he returned home he again volunteered under the same Capt.
Edmonston and returned to the same section of the country where
the company was divided and he was stationed at New Garden Fort
where he remained until he was verbally discharged by the same
Capt. William Edmonston after having served a tour of not less
than six or eight weeks.
He states that the following summer he volunteered to serve
a tour in the same section of the country and served his tour at
New Garden Fort under Sgt. William McCormick who was a Sgt. in
Capt. James Daisey's company. Where he was verbally discharged
by Sgt. William McCormick after having served not less than six
or eight weeks.
He states that in the year 1778 or 1779 he volunteered under
Capt. Lewis and Capt. Evan Shelby to go on a tour against the
Chickamaugan Indians of the Cherokee Nation and was marched to
the Cherokee Nation, burned twelve Indian towns, killed some
Indians, took some prisoners and distroyed and burned the Indian
corn and returned home to Washington Co., VA. After having served
a tour of four months or upwards, he was verbally discharged by the
above named Capt. Lewis.
That in the year 1780 he volunteered under Andrew Calvin, Capt.,
William Campbell, Col. and were marched to the Kings Mountains in
the state of North Carolina where he was in the Kings Mountains
battle when Major Ferguson was killed and about one thousand of his
men were killed and taken prisoners. A few days after he received
a permit to go down Catawba River on business where he remained
ten or twelve days in consequence of high water and in which section
of the country where General Tarton troops were at that time and
he and another man who was in company with him took to the woods and
made their way to General Sumpter and General Davis Army from which
we received an escape to Col. Campbell whose army we again joined at
the Moravian town where the army and prisoners were where we remained
four days until a sufficient number of Whigs could be collected to
pass the Blue Ridge as there were bodies of Tories in that range of
mountains. He states that when he returns to Capt. Campbell with
the said express that the principal part of the American Army were
discharged. He also was verbally discharged at the Moravian town
and returned home after served a tour of about 4 months.
He states that in 1776 he volunteered to guard some waggons to
the head of New ____ River to the lead mines for the purpose of
procuring lead to supply the different forts in Washington Co.,
Virginia. He volunteered in Washington Co., VA, there was no
particular officers belonging to the [said] T.[P.?] company but a
certain number of men were ordered out for that purpose. The
distance was eighty or ninety miles distance a lead load. He does
not recollect how long he was out that time, he states that about
that time or shortly after he returned with said waggons to
Washington Co., VA. he was ordered by Col. Wm. Edmonston to take
charge of a company of men to apprehend a man who had been charged
of having set the Cherokee Indians on the frontier inhabitants of
whites, he pursued him above the salt works in Washington Co., VA,
where he took him and brought him back and delivered him to
Col. aisey [?].
He again in 1781 volunteered under C. Gabriel Hayes to go and
join General Washington at Yorktown in VA and previous to our
arrival at Yorktown Cornwallis surrendered and he was discharged
verbally and returned home. The length of tour in the service at
that time not recollected, having served in the whole between two
and three years in the Revolutionary War.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever 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 aforesaid.
William Snodgrass
We, John Preston and Abraham McClellan, resident citizens of the
county of Washington Virginia and the county of Sullivan, State
of Tennessee hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
William Snodgrass who has subscribed and sworn to the above
accounting that we believe him to be 72 years of age that he is
reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he now resides to
have been a soldier of the Revolutionary war and that we concur
in that opinion.
John Preston & Abraham McClellan
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the
investigation of the matter, and after _______ the interrogatives
presented by the War Department that the above named applicant
was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he _____. And the said
court further states that it appears to them that John Preston
who signed the preceding certificate is a resident of Washington
County, Virginia, and that Abraham McClelland is a resident of
Sullivan County, Tennessee, and that they are credible persons
and that their statement is entitled to credit and it further
appears to the said court that there is no resident Clergyman
in the neighborhood where the applicant resides.
- - - - - - - - - -
Supplement to the Statement made by William Snodgrass, 22 Aug 1832,
to the War Department in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of
Congress passed 7 Jun 1832.
Quere and answer to Interrogation
1.- When and in what year were you born?
Ans.- In Frederick, now Berkeley Co., VA, in the year 1760, on the
10th day of May.
2.- Have you any record of your age?
Ans.- I have a record taken from the record which a family of my
father's contained, which has since been destroyed by fire. I have
a transcript taken from the original in a family record Bible now
in my possession.
3.- Where were you living when called into service, and where have
you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Ans.- I lived in Washington Co., VA, when I entered the service,
and continued in that county, except when in service during the war.
I have since lived in the state of Tennessee, principally in
Sullivan County.
4.- How were you called into service?
Ans.- Volunteered.
5.- State the names of some of the regular Officers who were with
the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments
as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Ans.- The first Captain I served under was Capt. George Adams,
by order of Col. Arthur Campbell. I also served under Capt William
Edmonston by order of said Col. Campbell. I also served under
Capt. Aaron Lewis. Col. Evan Shelby, commanded the Virginias,
Col. Robertson on the Carolinians. Col. Montgomery the Regulars
who were going to Illinois. The Militia to the Chickamauga Indians.
I also served under Capt. Andrew Calvin. Col. William Campbell
commanded the Virginians; Col. Shelby, Col. Lewis, Col. Cleveland
and Col. Williams the Carolinians. I also served a tour to the
lead mines under no particular officer until the fall when we
joined Gabriel Hayes's horse company of Mounted Volunteers.
Having then heard of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, were
discharged.
6 & 7.- Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and
if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? Did you
ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed and
what has become of it?
Ans.- I do not recollect of getting a written discharge, when
relieved by other troups, we returned home and dispersed. I
served as a private in the militia.
8.- 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 Revolutionary sold ier.
Ans.- Jonas Smith, Edward Smith, George Gamble, and Michael Flenor
who served with me one great part of the time, whose testimony I
have subjoined.
After conversation with my old comrades, I am enabled to
render more correct statement of my respective tours. Their
memories appear better than my own. viz.-
In the summer of 1775, under Capt. Adams 6 months
In the summer of 1776, under Capt. Adams 6 "
In the summer of 1777, two tours, 2 months each,
on the frontier of Clinch,
under Capt. Edmonston 4 "
In the summer of 1778 one tour under
Lt. Wm. McCoones 2 "
Same year, a tour as substitute
for James Glenn 2 "
In the winter of 1779 a tour against the
Chickamauga Indians 4 "
In the fall of 1780, tour to King's Mountain 4 "
A tour to the lead mines and
apprehending ______ 6 "
A tour dispersing Tories & joining Hayes's
Horse Co. in the fall 1 "
--------
years 2 - 11 months
- - - - - - - - - -
State of Tennessee, Sullivan County
On the 4th day of February, 1833, personally appeared
William Snodgrass, of Sullivan County and made oath that the
foregoing statements in the supplement he believes to be true,
and having had conversation with some of the persons who served
with him in the war of the Revolution, and whose recollection
appear better than his own, and has therefore procured their
affidavits.
Given under my hand and seal as an acting Justice of Peace.
Samuel Rhea, Justice of the Peace.
I know S. Rhea, Esq. to be an acting Justice of the Peace for
Sullivan County.
John Blair
- - - - - - - - - -
Answer to the 9th objection made by the War Department
An omission by the clerk of Sullivan County, through a
multiplicity of business, but has since been rectified.
Answer to the 11th objection:
No Clergyman was at the revolutionary services, but the
query is fully answered by the subjoined affidavits
of Jonas Smith.
Answer to the 13th objection:
No documentary evidence is in my possession, further than
the Testamony of secondary credible persons herewith
subjoined.
Answer to the 17th objection:
It is concluded that the seven interrogatives answer
satisfactory in the supplement.
William Snodgrass
- - - - - - - - - -
Washington County, Virginia to wit-
This day personally appeared before me Robert Stewart a
justice of the peace in and for said county George Gamble and
after being duly sworn & after hearing the statements read that
was made by William Snodgrass to the County Court of Sullivan,
State of Tennessee and states that he knows them to be true
with regards to two campaigns, Chickamauga and King's Mountain.
And he also knows by reports that he had done duty in garrisons
or forts for two seasons, the forts were still standing when he,
Gamble, first came to the State of Virginia. He also states
that he has often heard Capt. Wm. Edmonston Sr. say that the
said William Snodgrass had served several tours with him on the
frontiers of Clinch. He also knows that the said Snodgrass and
Samuel Meek were absent during the summer of 1781 and that he
has always understood they were on duty such as dispersing
Tories and that he has been acquainted with him for fifty-four
years and he knows him to be a man of credibility and that his
veracity has never been doubted.
George Gamble
Sworn to, subscribed to before me this 26th day of January, 1833.
Robert Stewart, J.P.
- - - - - - - - - -
Washington County, Virginia to wit-
This day personally appeared before me Robert Stewart a
justice of the peace in and for said county Michael Flenor and
after being duly sworn sayeth that he was with William Snodgrass
of Sullivan County, Tennessee, in the Chickamauga expedition in
the year 1779 and further states that he had done duty in garrisons
or forts in said county of Washington. He states that he knows it
was the young men who mostly performed the tours of duty on the
frontiers of Clinch and has no doubt but William Snodgrass
performed his proportionable part of duty with other young men.
He has been acquainted with said Snodgrass for fifty years he
knows him to be a man of credibility and that his veracity has
never been doubted.
Michael (his X mark) Flenor
Sworn to and subscribed to before me this 20th day of January.
Robert Stewart, J.P.
I do further certify that the above subscribing witnesses are
credible persons and that their statements may be relyed upon.
Robert Stewart, J.P.
- - - - - - - - - -
State of Virginia, Washington County
Personally appeared before me Robert Stewart one of the
acting Justices of Peace in and for the said county Jonas Smith
and Edward Smyth and made oath that they have been acquainted
with William Snodgrass upwards of fifty years and know of him
serving in the years 1775 and 1776 about six months each year
under the command of Capt. George Adams for the purpose of
guarding the inhabitants of the frontiers of Washington County.
We were kept constantly on duty in guarding the women and
children in the forts and the men were labouring on their farms.
They also state that the said William Snodgrass was on the
Chickamauga campaign against the Cherokee Indians.
We were on the King's Mountain campaign. Edward Smyth and
William Snodgrass continued in the service a long time after
the other troups were discharged their tours was not less than
four months. Also we understood that William Snodgrass and
Samuel Meeks were in the service in the year 1781 from early in
the spring until about the first of December following. We
understood they were engaged in dispersing Tories in different
parts of the country. We also know of his serving several tours
on the frontiers of the Clinch when the Militia were generally
called out from two to three months at a time.
We also understood that Wm. Snodgrass was one of the guards with
the waggons that was sent to the lead mines for lead to supply
the troops during the Revolutionary War. We also understood
William Snodgrass was with a party of men who was sent to
apprehend a man by the name of Cummings who was suspected for
setting the Cherokee Indians on the white inhabitants. They
further state that they have been acquainted with the said
Wm. Snodgrass ever since he was a small boy and know that he
has always supported a good character and as to his credibility
and veracity we have never heard it doubted by any person.
Jonas Smith & Edward Smith.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28th day of January 1833.
Robert Stewart, J.P.
I do further certify that the subscribing witnesses are credible
persons and that their statements are entitled to credit as I
have been personally acquainted with them for many years
given under my hand this 28th day of January 1833.
Robert Stewart, J.P.
- - - - - - - - - -
Tresury Department
Second Comptroller's Office
Oct. 26, 1838
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act
directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the
Treasury of the United States," William Snodgrass, a Pensioner
on the roll of the Jonesborough Tenn. Agency, at the rate of
EIGHTY Dollars and 0 cents per annum, under the law of the
7th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the
4th of March 1837 to the 4th Sept. 1837.
Respectively yours,
Allison K. Parris, Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.
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28 Mar 1833 -- Rev. Pen. Appl., vol. 1, page 11:
Pension appl. of John Acree. R.21, Sullivan Co., TN:
William Snodgrass declares he remembers that in the part of Virginia i n which he resided and performed military duty (Washington County) tha t regulations were made that the militia were classed in drafts and ea ch draft was required to perform in the person of one of the class a t our of eighteen months or hire a substitute or put into service a dese rter. His class was relieved of an 18 month tour by way laying the hou se of one Jarvis, a deserter, and pulling him in the service in their place for 18 months.
(Acree's claim of 18 month drafts was questioned by the Pension Offic e which stated Virginia had never drafted for more than six months.)

• Married: 1782

1. David SNODGRASS b: 27 JUN 1783 in Washington County, Virginia
2. Nancy SNODGRASS b: 22 APR 1785
3. James SNODGRASS b: 17 MAY 1787
4. Sarah SNODGRASS b: 22 APR 1789
5. Rebecca SNODGRASS b: ABT 1790 in Sullivan County, Tennessee
6. Mary SNODGRASS b: 1792 in Tennesee
7. Elizabeth SNODGRASS b: 22 SEP 1795 in Sullivan County, Tennessee
8. Jane SNODGRASS b: 12 MAY 1798 in Sullivan County, Tennessee