The State of Mississippi, Rankin, County--
"On this twenty-third day of September, 1833 personally appeared
before me Thomas Hughes, Judge of Probates in and for the Rankin County
aforesaid, in the Probate Court now sitting Edward Riley, a resident of the
aforesaid County of Rankin and State of Mississippi, aged about Eighty-five
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 7, 1832.
That he, the said Edward Riley, entered the service of the United States
as a Volunteer in the year 1778 under the immediate command of General
Williamson, who commanded at that time the Troops of the State of South
Carolina, was attached to Colonel McCrary's Company and served under Captain
Grear, continued in the service of the State and of the United States
during the war and was discharged at Eutaw Springs, South Carolina; our first
tour of service was against the Cherokee Indians, and after drubbing them into
submission and obedience, was ordered to the siege of Augusta, Georgia, but in
consequence of the reinforcement of the enemy by General Provost was compelled
to raise the siege, with considerable loss, the Americans being completely
routed. In the year 1779, was ordered to the siege of Savannah under
the chief command of General Lincoln over the American Forces and De'Estagn
the French Troops, and attempt was made on the town in the month of October,
but unfortunately miscarried, our troops again repulsed, the siege raised and
we retreated into the State of South Carolina. This claimant then joined
the Standard of General Green and participated in the Glorious Victory over
the enemy in a second attack on Augusta and Savannah in the State of Georgia.
This Deponent also followed the fortunes of General Greene, in famous
Battle of Eutaw Springs as a Dragoon under the command of Captain Dillard, but
previous to the battle was detached in advance of the Army as a spy in
company with others, and falling in with a detachment of the enemy, was
dangerously wounded by a ball in the neck, the loss of two fingers from a
sword, and many other flesh wounds of less injury.
That he resided in District Ninety-Six, South Carolina, at the time he
volunteered as a Private Soldier in the service, has no Documentary Evidence
in possession, and that he knows of no person whatsoever within his
reach that can testify to his service. In conclusion, this Deponent
would only remark that time has obliterated from his memory many circumstances
and particulars which might much strengthen his case, in consequence of which
he is unable at present to make any further statement.
In answer to the Interrogatories propounded by the Court, this applicant
made the following statement in substance; To wit, That he was born in
Lancaster County, State of Pennsylvania, has no record of his age, cannot say
positively as to the date he was born, believes it to the the year 1747, was
living, at the time he was called into service, in District 96, State of South
Carolina, has lived since the Revolutionary War in the States of Georgia and
Mississippi, and now resides in the State of Mississippi and County of Rankin.
Received no written discharge. Messrs, David Ross, Jesse Hasty, and
James Finlay, Esq., have known me a considerable time and now live in my
present neighborhood and can testify as to my character and their belief of my
services as a Revolutionary Soldier. And the said Edward Riley hereby
relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or Annuity except the present,
and Declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any other state
whatever, Sworn to and Subscribed the Day and year aforesaid in Open Court,
agreeable to law.
Edward Riley (Seal)
Thos. Hughes, Judge of Probates
We, John Tucker, a clergyman, David Ross, and Jesse Has ty, all
residents of the County of Rankin and State aforesaid hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with Edward Riley, who has sworn to and subscribed the
foregoing Declaration, have known him a great many years, we are satisfied
that he is at least Eighty-five years of age, that he is a Soldier of the
Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and Subscribed
John Tucker,
in Open Court, the day
David Ross
& year aforesaid
Jesse Hasty
And the said Court do hereby declare their 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, and served as he states, and the Court further Certify that it
appears to them that John Tucker, who has signed the preceding certificate, is
a clergyman, and that David Ross and Jesse Hasty (with whom the Court was well
acquainted) who has also signed the same, is credible persons and do each
reside in the County of Rankin and State of Mississippi, and that their
statement is entitled to full credit. The Court would further state that
in the absence of further proof that might be necessary in the case of the
applicant, that traditionary evidence is amply sufficient to convince them of
the Justness of his claim, and that the belief is general and no doubts
whatever exist upon the subject of his being a soldier of the Revolution, and
that full faith and credit may be given to the statement made in his
Declaration, and that his circumstances, advanced age, and bodily infirmities
also make him an object worthy their Patronage and Government.
Thomas
Hughes
J. Probate
I, Benjamin Bruce, Clerk of the Probate Court of the County of
Rankin aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the court in the matter of the application of Edward Riley for
a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal
of clerks office on this 23rd day of September 1833.
Ben.
Bruce Clk