Duckworth Family History & Genealogy

Pension application of John Duckworth S6805
Transcribed by Will Graves State of North Carolina, Burke County: Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions October Term
On this 22nd day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County & State aforesaid now sitting John Duckworth a resident of said County & State aged 74 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated (viz.): That he entered the service under Captain William Knox in the County of Burke, then Rowan, & State of North Carolina sometime in the year 1776. He entered said service for the term of six months or during the War. Colonel Alexander Martin commanded the Regiment. He has understood that he was subsequently Governor of North Carolina. The Company of Captain Knox rendezvoused at Salisbury North Carolina from whence they marched to Fayetteville & from there to Wilmington where the Regiment joined General Lee (Charles Lee). We were then marched down Cape Fear River to a place called Brunswick from thence we were marched to Charleston South Carolina & arrived there the day that Sullivan's Island was first attacked (date not recollected). He remained there till the 4th day of August 1777 – when I was discharged, my term of service being about nine months & a few [sentence ends here]. Captain Knox was accidentally shot by his Lieutenant Richard Grimes of which wound he died & on his deathbed requested that his company should be discharged. It was accordingly done & this is the reason why I did not serve the War.
Shortly after my return home I volunteered under Captain Thomas Kennedy and went a short expedition against the Cherokee Indians. In a short time after, I volunteered again under Captain John Harden and went another short expedition against the Cherokees. These expeditions did not exceed six weeks or two months. These expeditions were in the year 1777 or 1778. I then volunteered under Captain Thomas Lytle for six months during which time I was generally in a stockade or fort on the frontier of Burke County guarding against the Indians.
After this service I volunteered to go against the British & Tories under Captain Thomas Kennedy (Colonel William Sharpe commanding) & was marched into Lincoln County & was in the Battle at Ramsour's Mill. I was there wounded in the left shoulder & the ball is now plainly to be felt where it is lodged.
[Note: I felt the ball myself.
S/ Samuel Carson] Some time after this, Ferguson [Patrick Ferguson] came through the Country & a number of the citizens crossed the mountains & joined Colonels Shelby [Isaac Shelby] & Sevier [John Sevier] under the command of Colonel Charles McDowell. We returned & followed on to King's Mountain where we defeated Ferguson. At the time of this Battle my wound was not yet well & I fought with a tent [sic?] in my shoulder of considerable length. I still remained under Captain Kennedy & Major Joseph McDowell. Col. Campbell [William Campbell] & Shelby & Sevier commanded in the battle. Ramsour's
battle was on the 20th of June 1780 and the King's Mountain battle was in October following. This ended my service except some little scouting expeditions against the Indians. My whole services amounted to something upwards of two years.
I hereby relinquish every claim to a pension or annuity except the present & do hereby declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of any State or the Agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & date above written in open Court. S/ John Duckworth Test: S/ J. Erwin, Clk
State of North Carolina, Burke County: Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions April Term 1833
This day personally appeared in open court before the Justices of said John Duckworth a citizen of said County who after being duly sworn according to law makes on oath the following amendments to his Declaration that he filed in said court at October Term 1832 in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832. Swears that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the length of his service precisely but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades – one tour of nine months in the Continental line in the years of 1776 and 1777. In the last of 1777 or first of 1778, served two short tours against the Indians of not less than six weeks. In the latter part of the year 1778 or first of 1779, served a six months tour. In 1780 served a two months tour making in all 18 months and a half, all of which time I was a common Soldier. Questions by the Court --

1. When & in what year were you born I was born in the State of Virginia in the year of 1759.

2. Have you any record of your age I have not; only know my age by information of my Parents.


3. Where were you living when called into service & where have you lived since and
where do you now live I was living in Rowan County North Carolina and have since lived in Burke County North Carolina where I now live.
4. How were you called into service Answer: I volunteered in the year 1776 and served as a volunteer in all my tours and done much hard services.
5. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the Troops you served & such Continental & militia regiments as you can recollect and all other general circumstances that you can recollect.
I do not recollect any General officers that I was under only General Lee, General Rutherford, Colonel Cleveland, Colonel Campbell, Col. Shelby, & Colonel Charles McDowell &c &c.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service Answer: Yes my pocketbook was stolen in which my discharge was deposited.
7. State the names of Persons to whom you are known in your neighborhood who can testify as to your character for veracity & good behavior and your services as a Soldier of the revolution.
I am well known to the Honorable Samuel Carson, Colonel Isaac Avery & the Reverend John Lilliman who can testify to my character for veracity & good behavior and refers the court to the affidavit of Thomas Lytle & Isaac Thompson herewith filed as the only persons whose testimony I can procure to prove my services.
Sworn to and subscribed the 23rd of April 1833. S/ John Duckworth Sworn in open Court
23rd April 1833 S/ J. Erwin, Clk