Pensions

 

The provided sources contain information about Revolutionary War soldiers, primarily focusing on those who lived in or had connections to Pocahontas County, West Virginia. These records are largely based on affidavits given by the soldiers in order to obtain pensions or other benefits.

Here's a summary of the information regarding Revolutionary War soldiers from the sources:

• Service Details: Many soldiers served multiple terms, often in different roles, such as private soldiers, Indian spies, or sergeants. Some soldiers served in the regular army, while others served in militia units or as volunteers.
  
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• Enlistment and Draft: Soldiers entered service through enlistment or being drafted. Some volunteered for specific duties, such as Indian spy service.
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• Units and Commanders: The soldiers served under various captains and in different regiments, including the 12th Virginia Regiment. Some of the commanders mentioned include Captains Michael Bowyer, McCoy, George Poage, Ambrose Meddlson, Moffett, Andrew Hamilton, John Lewis, Arbuckle, and John Cook. There are also mentions of Lieutenant Samuel Vance, Ensign Jacob Warwick, and other officers.
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• Types of Service:
  • Regular Army: Some soldiers like John Slaven served as privates in the regular army for extended periods.
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  • Indian Spies: Many soldiers served as Indian spies, often for multiple terms, scouting the frontier. Their duties included patrolling specific areas, watching for Indian activity, and guarding settlements.
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  • Frontier Defense: Several soldiers were stationed at forts or locations such as Clover Lick, Point Pleasant, and Warwick's Fort, to defend against Indian attacks.
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  • Battles and Engagements: Some soldiers participated in battles, such as the Battle of Point Pleasant and the Siege of Yorktown. Other soldiers engaged in skirmishes with Indians.
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• Locations of Service: Soldiers were stationed or operated in various locations, including Point Pleasant, Clover Lick, Richmond, Warwick's Fort, Camp Carson, Little York, Winchester, and areas along the Monongahela River, Greenbrier River, and New River. They covered a large area in their scouting and defense activities.
• Duration of Service: The length of service varied greatly, from a few months to several years. Some soldiers served multiple short terms, while others served longer continuous periods.
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• Specific Soldiers Mentioned: The documents provide details about many soldiers, including John Slaven, Jacob Allison, Ralph Fentress, John Youne, Joseph Wooddell, John Bradshaw, Ino Hawk, Samuel Vance, Adam Arbogast, Jacob Kinnison, and many others.
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• Pension Applications: The records are derived from soldiers' applications for pensions, typically made many years after the war. These applications included information about their service, which was then recorded by the county.
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• Pocahontas County Connection: Many of these soldiers either lived in or had connections to Pocahontas County, West Virginia, which was part of Augusta County, Bath County, or Monroe County during and after the war.

The sources highlight the diverse experiences of soldiers during the Revolutionary War, including their participation in both formal military campaigns and frontier defense. The documents also emphasize the challenges faced by those serving as Indian spies on the western frontier.