REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS OF BERKELEY COUNTY, W. VA.
At a Court continued and held for Berkeley county, the 18th day of March, 1774. Present:
Gentlemen, Justices
John Neville,
Robert C. Willis,
William Patterson
William Magow,
Moses Hunter produced a Commission from under the Hand of the Right Honourable John, Earle of Dunmore, appointing him Captain of Malitia of this county, who took the usual Oaths to his Majesties Person and Government, Repeated and Subscribed the test, took the Oath of a Captain of Militia.
Joseph Mitchell having produced a Commission from the Right Honourable John, Earle of Dunmore appointing him Captain in the Militia of this county, who took the Usual Oaths to his Majesties Person and Government, Repeated and subscribed the Test and took the Oath of a Militia Captain.
James Strode having produced a Commission from The Right Honourable John, Earle of Dunmore, appointing him Captain in the Militia of this county, which being read, was approved, he having taken the Usual Oaths to his Majesties Person and Government, Repeated and Subscribed the Test, and was sworn in a Militia Captain.
At a Court held for Berkeley County, the 21st day of March, 1775.
James Mouse made oath that he imported fourteen persons from Great Brittian into this colony, and that he hath not had the Land he is entitled to for so doing:
At a court continued and held for Berkeley County, the 18th day of November, 1773. Present:
Gentlemen, Justices.
John Neville,
Robert C. Willis,
Robert Stephen,
Godwin Swift,
William Patterson.
The Persons appointed to view the ground for a Road to lead from Beeson’s Mill to Back Creek made their report. William Patterson came into Court and objected to the establishment of the said road alleging that as the said William Patterson had a Mill upon his land it was necessary for him to have a road leading thereto, and that the road now contended for would run parallel with that road three quarters of a mile, and not above forty poles asunder. Thereupon it is ordered that William Slaughter, William Henshaw, James Strode and George Cunningham, or any three of them, being first sworn, do make a Review of the same and Report the convenience and inconvenience attending the same to Court.
At a Court continued and held for Berkeley County, the 20th day of August, 1776.
On the motion of William Little, it is ordered that he be recommended to the Honourable Governor and Council as Captain in the eighteenth District of Militia, in the room of William Brady.
At a Court continued and held for Berkeley County, the 20th day of November, 1776. Present:
Gentlemen, Justices
Samuel Washington,
John Coke,
Godwin Swift,
Robert Worthington,
Ordered, That James Crane be appointed Ensign in a Company of Militia of this County commanded by Capt. John Coke.
Robert Stephens prays and hath leave to resign his Commission as Captain in the Militia of this county. Morgan Morgan, gentleman, prays and hath leave to resign his Commission as Captain in the Militia of this county.
At a Court held for Berkeley County, the 15th Day of April, 1777. Present:
Gentlemen, Justices
Robert Carter Willis.
Godwin Swift,
James McAlister,
Anthony Noble,
On the petition of Samuel Washington, Gentleman, setting forth his low estate of health, which rendered him unfit for public business, and therefore prays that he may have leave to resign his Commission as County Lieutenant, which is granted.
Van Swearingen, Gentleman, is appointed County Lieutenant in the room of Samuel Washington, Esq., who hath resigned.
Philip Pendleton, Gentleman, is appointed Colonel of the Militia of this county in the Room of Van Swearingen, Gentleman. Robert Carter Willis, Gentleman, is appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Militia of this county in the Room of Philip Pendleton, Gentleman.
Ordered, That the Church wardens bind Love Mercy Rachel Harper to James Blue till she arrive to the age of sixteen years, who is now nine years of age, and at the Expiration of the said time is to give her a spinning wheel and a suit of cloathes, and learn her to read the Bible.
Ordered, That the church wardens bind William Harper to James Blue till he comes of age, who is now twelve years old, who is to learn him to read, write and cypher, and at the expiration of the said term to give him five pounds.
At a Court held for Berkeley County, the 21st day of April, 1778. Present:
Gentlemen, Jusices
William Patterson,
John Murron,
Thomas Hite,
Upon the complaint of Captain George Wallis, setting forth that Daniel Cameron, a soldier of the Continental Army, who hath been discharged from service by Anthony Noble, one of the Magistrates for this County on hearing the same. It is the Opinion of the Court that the said discharge is contrary to law.
Ordered that Eleanor Raisiner, wife of John Raisiner, a soldier in the Continental service be allowed eight pounds for her subsistance for the present year.
Upon the motion of William Henshaw, Elizabeth Tabb, William McConnell, William Cowan, Thomas Hite and George Cunninghame, Jun., hath leave to Inoculate their families for the small-pox in their own houses.
The minutes of these proceedings were signed by
Wm. Patterson.
The court proceeded to lay the levy as follows:
Berkeley Co.,
To Alexander White, Deputy Attorney, 16 13 4
To Clk of the Court for his extra service, 5 3 4
To Isaac Heaton for one old wolfe, 1 5 0
To Adam Bedinger, Ditto, 1 5 0
George Jenkins, Ditto, 1 5 0
8 young wolves, 5 0 0
To William Brown for making stocks for the use of the county, 4 10 0
To Robert Cockburn for laying of the Prison’s Bounds, 2 10 0
To John Neville to use of his house for gaol, 25 0 0
To William Brown for four Corner Stones for the Prison Bounds, 1 0 0
To Joseph Mitchell for his house as a Court House, 7 10 0
Ordered that Eleanor Sawder, wife of Jacob Sawder, a soldier in the Continental service be allowed eight pounds for her subsistance for the present year.
Upon the Petition of Mary Brittian, wife of Samuel Brittian, soldier in the Continental service, be allowed seven pounds for her support and her two children for the present year.
At a court continued and held Aug. 18, 1778, Upon the petition of Rachell Burke, wife of Michael Burk, a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed ten pounds for her present subsistence.
Ordered that Samuel Reid pay William Murphy one Hundred and fifty pounds of Tobacco for six days’ attendance as a Witness for the Commonwealth against him, the said Samuel Reid.
Catherine Smith, wife of William Smith, soldier in the Continental service, is allowed Ten pounds for her support for the present year.
Elizabeth Kenny, wife of Richard Kenny, a soldier in the Continental service, is allowed five pounds for her subsistance for the present year.
Ordered that Margaret Matheny, widow of William Matheny, Dec’d, late a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed her five pounds for her present year subsistence.
Ordered that Mary McDonald, wife of John McDonald, a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed eight pounds for her subsistence for the present year.
At a Court continued and held for Berkeley county, the 27th day of February, 1798. Present:
Gentlemen, Justices
Robert Stephen,
James Wilson,
William Henshaw,
David Hunter,
Henry Bedinger,
Edward Giffin,
Ordered that Robert Justin be appointed Captain of a Musquetry Company, in the 1st Battalion of the 67th Regiment of Militia, in the room of John Hunter, resigned, William Stephenson, as Lieutenant in Justin’s room, and Jacob Creamer, Ensign.
Levi Henshaw, a Captain of a Musquetry Company, in the room of Adrias Davenport, resigned.
Zebular Warner as Lieutenant in the room of Henshaw.
Paul Verdier, a Captain of Musquetry, in the room of Frederick Snyder, removed; Joseph Cromwell, Lieutenant, and George Little, Ensign; George Barer Lieutenant in Captain Whitmire’s Musketry Company, in the room of William Allen, resigned, and Davis Sampson, ensign, in the room of Philip Clover, resigned.
At a Court held for Berkeley County, 17th day of November, 1778.
Ordered that Sarah Bishop, wife of Thomas Bishop, a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed Ten pounds for her subsistence for the present year.
Page 345. Catherine Smith, wife of Thomas Smith, a soldier in the Continental service, is allowed seven pounds for her support for the present year.
Upon the motion of Jacob Williamson, a Lieutenant in the militia of this county, praying that he may have leave to resign his Commission, which is granted him.
Ordered that Thomas Swearingen, jun., be recommended to his Excellency the Governor, and the Honourable Council, as a proper person to act as Lieutenant in a company of Militia of this County, Commanded by Captain Josiah Swearingen.
Ordered that Jane Taylor, wife of James Taylor, a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed ten pounds for her support for the present year.
Ordered that Margaret Mitchell, widow of James, late soldier in the Continental service, be allowed fifteen Pounds for her support for the present year.
At a court held in Berkeley County, March 16, 1779. Page 366. Elizabeth Harris, wife of Daniel Harris, a soldier in the Continental Service. Ordered that she be allowed eight Pounds for her support for the present year. Page 368. Sarah Wilson, wife of George Wilson, a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed Twelve pounds for her support for the present year.
Page 369. Colbert Anderson personally appeared in Court, and took the Oath prescribed by an Act of General Assembly, and was sworn Captain of a company of Militia of this county.
James Buckles is recommended to his Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Council as a proper person to serve as a Captain of a Company of Militia in the Room of George Briscoe.
Page 376. Ordered that Margaret Walls, wife of William Walls, a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed Twelve Pounds for her support for the present year.
At a court held for Berkeley county, the 20th day of April, 1779. Ordered that Barbarah Susong, wife of Andrew Susong, a soldier in the Continental Service, be allowed Twenty-five pounds for her support for the present year.
Benjamin Rankins personally appeared in Court and resigned his Commission as a Captain in the Militia in this county.
Page 403. Edward Cullen personally appeared in court, and resigned his Commission as Ensign in Captain Peter Spohar’s Company of Militia in this county.
William Vestall is recommended to his Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Council as a proper person to serve as Captain of a Company of Militia of this County in the room of Benjamin Rankin.
William Gerrard is recommended to his Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Council as a proper person to serve as Captain of a Company of Militia of this county in the room of James Buckles, who hath resigned.
Betty Eager, wife of Robert Eager, a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed fifty pounds for her support for the present.
Ordered that Catherine Lindsey, wife of David Lindsey, a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed twenty-five pounds for her support for the present year.
Ordered that Rebecca Taylor, wife of Robert Taylor, soldier in the Continental Service, be allowed Twenty pounds for her support for the present year.
Ordered that Catherine Plunkett, wife of Patrick Plunkett, a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed Twenty Pounds for her support for the present year.
Ordered that Elizabeth Wilson, wife of James Wilson, a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed fifteen pounds for her support for the present year.
At a court continued and held 19th day of May, 1779.
Ordered that Eleanor Reasoner, wife of John Reasoner, a soldier in the Continental Service, be allowed Twenty Pounds for her snpport for the present.
Ordered that David Collett be recommended to his Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Council as a proper person to serve as Ensign in a company of militia of this county, commanded by Captain George Clarke.
Ordered that Esther Ferguson, wife of John Ferguson, a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed Thirty pounds for her support for the present year.
Ordered that Nancy Fox, wife of Bolsor Fox, a soldier in the Continental Service, be allowed Forty Pounds for her support for the present year.
Ordered that Catherine Smith, wife of Robert Smith, a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed Twenty-five pounds for her support for the present year.
Sarah Holt, wife of Thomas Holt, a soldier in the Continental Service, be allowed Twenty-five pounds for her support for the present year.
Ordered that Amos Nicholas be recommended to his Excellency the Governor and the Honourable the Council as a proper Person to serve as Captain of a Company of Militia of this county.
Ordered that Mary Covey, wife of Dourett Covey, a soldier in the Continental Service, be allowed Twenty pounds for her support for the present year.
Ordered that Catherine Moody, wife of William Moody, a soldier in the Continental Service, be allowed Twenty pounds for her support for the present year.
Ordered that Barbarah Aldich, wife of Aldich, a soldier in the Continental Service, be allowed Twenty pounds for her support for the present year.
22nd day of September, 1779. Ordered that Robert Gates be recommended to his Excellency the Governor and the Honourable the Council as a proper person to serve as Major of the Second Battalion of Militia of this county.
17th day of November, 1779. Ordered that Christiana Pennybaker, wife of Jacob Pennybaker, a soldier in the Continental Service, be allowed forty pounds for her support for the present year.
Ordered that Elizabeth Bowland, wife of John Bowland, a soldier in the Continental Service, be allowed Thirty pounds for her support for the present year.
Ordered that Margaret Artis, widow of ____ Artis, deceased, late a soldier in the Continental service, be allowed thirty pounds for her support for the present year.
Ordered that the Churchwardens bind John Hall, four years old the fifteenth day of March next, to George Payne till he comes of age, who is to learn to read, write and cypher as far as the Rule of three, according to law.
21st day of March, 1780. Robert Buckles personally appeared in Court, and Deposeth on the holy Evangelist of Almighty God that in the year 1758 he served as a soldier in a ranging Company under the command of Captain Robert Rutherford until the same was discharged, and he never received any lands under the King of Great Brittian’s Proclamation of 1763 for the said service, which is ordered to be certified.
SOURCE: William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol XIII, July 1904, No. 1
About The Author
