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Personally
appeared in open court before Thomas Stuart presiding Judge of the Circuit
Court of Williamson County, State of Tennessee, George Neely a resident of
said county and state and 71 years of age 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 7th June 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named
officers and served as herein stated. He entered as a volunteer while living
in Camden District, South Carolina in the year 1780 and in his 19th year of
age. He thinks it was about the 20th of May soon after Charleston was taken
by the British, after that event the Tories began to hold musters and do
great damage in Camden District and the adjoining counties. There being a
call for men to put them down, he entered as a volunteer in Captain John
McClure’s company and marched with this company up Fishing Creek 10 or 12
miles to a Mr. Bishop’s near the cross roads where the company was properly
organized. He marched about for some time, preventing the Tories from
committing depredations. Then on hearing a body of Tories and British had
collected at Bratton’s or William’s Ferries – under Colonel Furgurson, Tory
and Captain Book a British officer, a detachment, including Captain
McClure’s company under Major John Adair marched to rout them. We came upon
them after marching the whole night, about day break and took them by
surprise killing Captain Book and Colonel Furgurson with several Tories,
some of whom were my neighbors and men I had never suspected of Toryism.
After we had routed them we then disbanded and joined in companies of 7 or 8
men each (the country being somewhat relieved of these Tories) and went
about in the neighborhood still retaining our arms and guarding the property
and lives of our country men. Soon after the company collected under Captain
McClure and joined Colonel Lacy’s regiment and marched about from place to
place until he was marched with this regiment up to Mecklenburg County,
North Carolina and encamped on Steel Creek near one Knocc’s[?], in this
route the regiment suffered greatly for provisions. After laying here some
time he was marched towards the upper end of South Carolina still continuing
on the west side of the Catawby River. Then he was marched about against
small bodies of Tories, until Colonel Lacy’s hearing that the British and
Tories had collected at the Rocky Mount down in South Carolina under a
Colonel called Turnbull, he was marched there and the regiment joined
General Sumpter who took the command of the men in the besieging of that
place, a very strong position. We were repulsed with considerable loss
including Colonel Andrew Neal. We then marched to Land’s ford and crossed
the Catawby River at that place having lain on the west side some days.
General Sumpter here ordered several men of whom I was one, we being
acquainted with the country and the Whigs and Tories, to procure Beaves[?]
for the army. We did so, and while we were doing this, General Sumpter
marched for the Hanging Rock on the east side of the river where a
considerable body of British and Tories were. He attacked them and was
defeated, we having procured the beaves[?] crossed the river and proceeded
on after General Sumpter and met him retreating from the battle last
mentioned and delivered the beaves[?] and entered our ranks. We lay on
Harper Ferry on le ain [?] brick for some days, at the end of which time we
were marched to a place, I think, called Nagler’s Branch, where we also
remained some days. Then we were marched back crossing Catawby at Old Nation
Ford. I remained at home for a short time but still continued in scouting
parties when general Sumpter crossed Catawby and Colonel Lacy joined him.
I had entered a company, the old company or as many as were alive under
Captain Steal. This company joined Lacy’s regiment and General Sumpter
marched us down the Catawby opposite Camden. General Gates had taken the
command of the Southern army and marched against the British at Camden and
was defeated completely. General Sumpter on hearing this marched us back up
the river and encamped alongside of an old field near Fishing Creek. I had
got permission to visit my father’s a few miles distance, during which time
a party of British dragoons attacked Sumpter and defeated him with the loss
of 2 to 3 hundred men. I got no discharge for any of this service. Some time
in the winter of 1782 I was elected Captain of a Militia company and served
six months with commission, which was signed by Colonel Fang, of Captaincy.
I marched this company from Camden District against a body of British and
Tories collected at [illegible] on Congaree River, at Friday’s Ferry. The
company I commanded was attached to Colonel Lacy’s regiment. John Adair was
Major. We attacked this fort but having no field pieces we progressed very
slowly. General Lee with his men soon after arrived with field pieces which
were put in operation against the fort which soon after surrendered
prisoners. After this, Lacy’s regiment with my company, marched back to
Camden District. I continued in my command until my marriage, guarding the
country.
My marriage was on the 15th November 1782, I have lost my commission. I have
a record of my age which is in my father’s family bible in South Carolina.
In 1784 I left Camden District, South Carolina and lived two years in
Kentucky, Lincoln County. I then, in 1786 moved to Williamson County,
Tennessee where I have been living ever since and now live. I would mention
that Captain McClure was mortally wounded at the battle of Hanging Rock of
which he soon died.
I hereby relinquish all claims whatever to a pension or annuity, except the
present and declare my name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any
state.
I was acquainted with Colonel Lacy, General Sumpter, and Major Adair. From
first entering the service until I was elected Captain I served at least six
months.
I know of no person in this country living except Robert Guthrie who can
certify to my service as stated in the above declaration. I have no
documentary evidence of my service.
I am acquainted with Robert Davis and Thomas Hardimon who can testify to my
reputation as a soldier of the Revolution.
Sworn to & subscribed in open court )) [signed] George Neely
1st September 1832 [signed] Preston Hay, clk &c ))
We, Robert Davis, a clergyman residing in Williamson County, state of
Tennessee and Thomas Hardimon residing in the same county and state, do
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George Neely who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 71
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. Also, we do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Robert
Guthrie who has subscribed and sworn to the above certificate annexed and
that we believe him to be 75 years of age and that he is reputed and
believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been also a soldier of
the Revolution and we concur in this opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court )) [signed] Robert Davis
[signed] Preston Hay, clk &c )) [signed] Thos Hardimon, clk
Mrs. R.O. Bannerman
1545 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of George
Neely, pension claim S.4613.
The data which follows were obtained from papers on file in the above stated
pension claim, based upon the service of George Neely in the War of the
Revolution.
The date and place of birth of this soldier be not given, nor are the names
of his parents stated.
George Neely, while a resident of Camden District, South Carolina,
volunteered May 20, 1780, served as Private in Captain John McClure’s
company, was out in pursuit of Tories, was in the battle of Williamson’s
Plantation, and in the battle of Rocky Mount in Colonel Lacy’s South
Carolina regiment, and continued to serve in Colonel Lacy’s regiment, and in
Captain Steal’s company in frequent scouting parties. While encamped near
Fishing Creek, he obtained a furlough and visited his father’s home a few
miles away; length of service, six months. He was elected in 1782, Captain
of a company of Militia in Colonel Lacy’s regiment, was in an engagement at
Congaree River and left the service November 15, 1782, having served six
months.
He moved from Camden District, South Carolina in 1784 to Lincoln County,
Kentucky and in 1786 moved to Williamson County, Tennessee.
The soldier, George Neely, applied for Pension September 1, 1832, then 71
years of age and living in Williamson County, Tennessee. The pension was
allowed.
George Neely married November 15, 1782, her name not given and there are no
details as to their marriage. He died March 18, 1833, leaving no widow, and
only one child, James Neely of Williamson County, Tennessee, survived him.
On April 22, 1834, John Neely was referred to as deceased, and having left a
wife and two children, whose names were not given.
If you desire information relative to the name and address of the person
paid the last payment of pension, you should address the Comptroller
General, General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. and cite the following:
George Neely
Certificate # 26560
Issued: March 15, 1834
Rate $40.00 per annum
Commenced: March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
West Tennessee Agency
Very Truly Yours,
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
To the Administrator
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