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On this 4th day
of September, 1832 personally appeared in open court before me, Thomas
Stuart, presiding Judge of the Circuit Court of Williamson County,
Tennessee, Benjamin Ragsdale, a resident of Williamson County aged 73 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 7th June, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers and served as herein stated:
That he was first drafted for a three month tour while residing in Chatham
County, North Carolina and in the month of June, 1780 in my 21st year of age
and entered into Captain Dillard’s Company. We marched from Chatham
Courthouse down by Ramsey’s Mill crossing Peder river and was continuing our
march to join General Gates who had recently been appointed the Commander of
the Southern army, when the news of General Gates’ defeat reached the men I
was, with my Captain, ordered to retreat. It was these marched back thru the
Chesaw[?] Hills and into Chatham County, and about this time my tour of
three months expired and I got a discharge for that time signed by Capt.
Dillard. I remained at home some short time when I volunteered into Col.
Aulstin’s horse troop, we met at his house where we were organised and
Hoowkins Dye was my Capt. There was a certain Col. Fannin whom we were going
to capture: we made several unsuccessful attempts. I served with Col.
Aulstin until he was taken prisoner. I served in this tour about 15 days. I
next entered as a volunteer with what were called the 18 months men. I think
into the 71st regiment. I recollect of hearing our men say hurray for the
71st regiment. I entered into Capt. Yarby’s company. I recollect two other
Captains in this regiment; Captain Langum and Captain Saunders. I recollect
the following men in my company: Ben Taylor, Charles Taylor, Tom Hollenhead,
Ben Hollenhead, Augustine Williams, Beny Conner, and Ward [no name]. We
rendezvoused at Salisbury where Colonel Davidson (uncle of Gen. Davidson who
had been a short time before killed at a ford on the Catawby) took command
after we marched from Salisbury and crossed the Peder and intended to join
Gen. Green who was not far from Charleston. The Brittish about this time,
evacuated Charleston and we took possession. Soon after this the news of
Cornwallis’ surrender arrived and I think about four months of my eighteen
months tour, had elapsed. I entered this eighteen month tour the year
Cornwallis surrendered which was in 1781 and about the month of June or
July. I know I had been in this company but a short time before ‘roasting
ears came about’. I got a discharge which was for three or four month’s
service. The discharge, same as the first, I lost when I moved to this
county which was twenty years after I got them. The eighteen month men were
to be paid in land. I have never got any myself.
I was born on Cape Fear river, Chatham County, North Carolina, in 1759,
where I lived until I was grown when I moved to Moore County, where I staid
10 or 12 years. When I moved to Williamson County, Tennessee where I now
live and have been living ever since.
I have been acquainted with all the officers above mentioned but General
Gates. I am acquainted with Nathan Lunn, Lancaster Ragsdale, [illegible] and
Robert Davis. I had a record of my age which was in my mother’s bible, but
now lost. I know of no person in this county who can prove my service as
stated. I have no documentary evidence of my services, except those stated.
I hereby relinquish every claim to a pension or annuity except, the present,
and declare my name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any state.
[signed] Benjamin Ragsdale X his mark
The day and year aforesaid. Sworn to in open court ))
[signed] P. Hay, clk &c ))
We, Robert Davis, a clergyman resident in the County of Williamson and State
of Tennessee and Lancaster Ragsdale, John Satterfield and Nathan Lunn,
residents of the same county and state, do hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with Benjamin Ragsdale who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration, that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he
is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a
soldier of the Revolutionary War and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court )) [signed] Robert Davis
4th September, 1832 [signed] P. Hay, clk &c )) [signed] John Satterfield
)) [signed] Lancaster Ragsdale
)) [signed] Nathan Lunn X his mark
And said court does hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of
the matter and after the putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War
Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and
served as he states; and the Court further certifies that it appears to him
that, Robert Davis, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman
resident in the county of Williamson and state of Tennessee and that John
Satterfield, Lancaster Ragsdale and Nathan Lunn, who have signed the same
are residents…[end of document.]
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the Act of Congress
of the 4th of July 1836.
State of Tennessee ))
Williamson County )) ss
On this 8th day of August personally appeared Martha Ragsdale aged 81 years
before me, Joseph Burnett, one of the Acting Justices of the Peace in and
for Williamson County, who first being sworn according to law doth on her
oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
provision made by the Act of Congress passed July the 4th 1836. That she is
the widow of Benjamin Ragsdale who was a private in the army of the
Revolutionary War and drew a pension of twenty one dollars and sixty two
cents per annum at Nashville in Tennessee. That she was married to the above
named Benjamin Ragsdale in September, 1778 in the state of North Carolina in
Moore County, the day of the month she can not recollect and has no record
of her age or marriage. The reason why she recollects that her marriage took
place in September, that she did ride to the minister at which time she was
married to the above named Benjamin Ragsdale, the reason why she recollects
that her marriage took place in the date of 1778 is from the size of her
oldest child at the capture of Lord Cornwallis, that her husband Benjamin
Ragsdale was there in the army of the United States, but not at the capture
and surrender of Cornwallis but when he was taken she was a mother of two
children, that she left her oldest child at home and took her youngest child
with her and went in search of her husband, Benjamin Ragsdale who she found
on his way home, that she returned home with him; it being the last campaign
that he ever served.
That he died on the 20th day of March in the year 1842 and that she has
remained a widow ever since that period, as well as more fully approved by
references to the proof hereunto considered:
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written.
[signed] Joseph Burnett Justice of the Peace )) [signed] Martha Ragsdale
For Williamson County )) X her mark
State of Tennessee ))
Williamson County )) ss
I, Joseph Burnett, one of the Acting Justices of the Peace do certify that
Martha Ragsdale was duly sworn according to law and did subscribe to the
above declaration for the purpose therein mentioned that from old age and
bodily infirmity she is unable to attend court. That she is a woman of high
credibility and good character, that considering her advanced age her mind
is yet good.
Given under my hand and official seal this 8th day of August, A.D. 1843.
[signed] Joseph Burnett J P {seal}
Justice of the Peace
State of Tennessee ))
Williamson County )) ss
Personally appeared James Ragsdale, a citizen of Williamson County before
me, Joseph Burnett, one of the Acting Justices of the Peace in and for
Williamson County and state aforesaid who first being duly sworn according
to law doth on his oath say that he has the record of his own age which is
5l years through the 12th day of May last. That he has been acquainted with
Martha Ragsdale and her husband Benjamin Ragsdale ever since he can
recollect up to the day of death of Benjamin Ragsdale which death was on the
20th day of March, 1842 and that Martha Ragsdale, his widow, has remained a
widow ever since that period and is now a widow. That from what he has
always heard from Benjamin the husband of Martha Ragsdale say that his
oldest daughter was about thirteen years of age when he was born which would
make their oldest about 64 years old. That he believes that they were
lawfully married for they lived together as man and wife that he has often
heard Benjamin and Martha Ragsdale speak of their marriage on a summer day.
That he believes if they had not been lawfully married he must have heard it
for he has lived near them ever since he could recollect. That he was raised
in part in Moore County in North Carolina in which county he always
understood they were married. Considering her advanced age her mind is yet
good, that Martha Ragsdale is a woman of high credibility and undoubted
veracity.
Sworn to and subscribed on the 8th day of August, 1843.
[signed] James Ragsdale
[signed] Joseph Burnett Justice of the ))
Peace for Williamson County ))
State of Tennessee ))
Williamson County )) ss
Personally appeared Matthew P. Montgomery, a resident of Williamson County
before me Joseph Burnett, one of the Acting Justices of the Peace for
Williamson County, who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his
oath say that he is personally acquainted with Martha Ragsdale the foregoing
subscriber to the foregoing declaration, that she is a woman of high
credibility and undoubted veracity and that considering her advanced age her
mind is yet good.
Sworn to and subscribed on this 8th day of August, 1843.
[signed] Joseph Burnett Justice of the )) [signed] Matthew P Montgomery
Peace for Williamson County ))
[Beginning of document does not appear] …with him and wife said Patsy
Ragsdale and they were at that time living together as man and wife and he
continued to be intimately acquainted with them from the time above
mentioned down to the time of the death of the said Benjamin Ragsdale which
took place on the 20th March, 1842. He states that said Patsy Ragsdale is
the same person who is an applicant for a pension in this case. He states
that said Benjamin Ragsdale and Patsy, his wife, had the following children
to wit: Mary Ragsdale; William Ragsdale; Daniel Ragsdale; Dempsey Ragsdale;
Lancaster Ragsdale; Kissiah Ragsdale; Dicey Ragsdale; Sarah Ragsdale; John
Ragsdale; and Roda Ragsdale. All of whom applicant really believes were born
in wedlock. He states that said Benjamin Ragsdale and Patsy Ragsdale, his
wife, lived peacefully and affectionately together as man and wife, so far
as he knows. He states that on 20th of March, 1842, said Benjamin Ragsdale
died in Williamson County in Tennessee and Patsy Ragsdale has remained
single ever since his death and at this time resides in Williamson County in
the state of Tennessee.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 3rd day of February 1847.
[signed] Sarah Ragsdale X her mark; Seth Sparkman {seal}, Justice of the
Peace for Williamson County
State of Tennessee ))
Williamson County ))
On this 3rd day of February, 1847 personally appeared before me, Seth
Sparkman, an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for Williamson County in
Tennessee, James Ragsdale, a resident in Williamson County in state
aforesaid aged 53 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on
his oath state as follows; that about 40 years before the death of the said
Benjamin Ragsdale he formed an acquaintance with him and wife said Patsy
Ragsdale and they were at that time living together as man and wife and he
continued to be intimately acquainted with them from the time above
mentioned down to the time of the death of the said Benjamin Ragsdale which
took place on the 20th March, 1842. He states that said Patsy Ragsdale is
the same person who is an applicant for a pension in this case. He states
that said Benjamin Ragsdale and Patsy, his wife, had the following children
to wit: Mary Ragsdale; William Ragsdale; Daniel Ragsdale; Dempsey Ragsdale;
Lancaster Ragsdale; Kissiah Ragsdale; Dicey Ragsdale; Sarah Ragsdale; John
Ragsdale; and Roda Ragsdale. All of whom applicant really believes were born
in wedlock. He states that said Benjamin Ragsdale and Patsy Ragsdale, his
wife, lived peacefully and affectionately together as man and wife, so far
as he knows. He states that on 20th of March, 1842, said Benjamin Ragsdale
died in Williamson County in Tennessee and Patsy Ragsdale has remained
single ever since his death and at this time resides in Williamson County in
the state of Tennessee.
[signed] James Ragsdale
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 3rd day of February 1847.
[signed] Seth Sparkman
Justice of the Peace for Williamson County
Mr. Francis M. Wright Benjamin Ragsdale W.1079
922-932 Eighth Street
Augusta, Georgia
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Benjamin
Ragsdale, Pension claim W.1079, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary
War pension claim W.1079, based upon military service of Benjamin Ragsdale
in that war.
Benjamin Ragsdale was born in 1759, on Cape Fear River in Chatham County,
North Carolina. The names of his parents are not shown in the papers in the
pension claim.
While residing in Chatham County, North Carolina, Benjamin Ragsdale enlisted
in June, 1780, and served three months as a private in Captain Dillard’s
North Carolina company; sometime afterward, he enlisted and served 15 days
as a private in Captain Hawkins Dye’s company, Colonel Aulstin’s North
Carolina ‘horse troops’; he enlisted in 1781 and served three months as a
private in Captain Yarby’s company, Colonel Davidson’s North Carolina
regiment.
After the Revolution he resided in Moore County, state not given, for ten or
twelve years, and about 1801 moved to the state of Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 4, 1832, while
residing in Williamson County, Tennessee.
He died in said Williamson County, March 20, 1843, according to the
statement of this widow. However, there is a statement on file in the claim
that his death occurred on August 9, 1842 and that his pension was paid up
to the time of his death. For further information in regard to the death of
the Revolutionary War Pensioner, Benjamin Ragsdale (W.1079), it is suggested
that you apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting office,
Records Division, this city, citing the following data:
Benjamin Ragsdale, certificate number 19033, issued July 26, 1833, rate
$21.66 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, West
Tennessee Agency.
The soldier married September, 1778, in Moore County, North Carolina, Martha
or Patsy, maiden name not given.
Soldier’s widow, Martha, was allowed pension on her application executed
August 8, 1843, at which time she was a resident of Williamson County,
Tennessee, and was aged 81 years.
The names of the following children are shown: dates of their births not
stated:
Mary Ragsdale, William Ragsdale, Daniel Ragsdale, Dempsey Ragsdale,
Lancaster Ragsdale, Kesiah or Kissiah Ragsdale, Dicey Ragsdale, Sarah
Ragsdale, John Ragsdale, Roda Ragsdale.
James Ragsdale was a son-in-law of the soldier and his wife; the name of the
wife of James Ragsdale is not designated, nor was the degree of their
relationship known.
In August, 1843, James Ragsdale, of Williamson County, Tennessee, made
affidavit in support of the widow, Martha Ragsdale’s claim for pension and
then stated that he was 51 years of age ‘the 12th of May last’; no
relationship to the family shown. In 1847, Sarah Ragsdale was a resident of
Williamson County, Tennessee, and then stated that she was aged 48 years,
but did not state any relationship to the family. Lancaster Ragsdale was a
resident of Williamson County, Tennessee, in 1832, and the name Richard
Ragsdale also appears; no relation to the family shown.
Very Truly Yours,
A. D. Hiller
Assistant to the Administrator
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