Henry Whiteman's Pension Application

On this 23rd day of October 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Court of the County of Randolph, now sitting Henry Whiteman a resident of the said County of Randolph and State of Virginia 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 June 17, 1832.

That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. In the year 1777 in the month of August in the city of Philadelphia he was drafted in the third class of the Philadelphia Militia under Capt. Schler or Sishler or some such name, his first name not recollected the Lieutenants name was Sesher he belonged to Col. Smiths Regiment of Philadelphia Militia. Col. Smiths first name is not recollected was attached to General Erwins Brigade of Pennsylvania Militia. General Erwins christian name is not recollected. Was marched from Philadelphia the place of his residence at the time he was Drafted to Brandy Wine and was in the battle at that place, and after the Battle of Brandwine was marched back to Philadelphia, remained there a day or two and marched from thence to a place called Skiback. remained there but a short time, and was marched from thence to German Town, on the day after our arrival the battle at that place was fought, on the day of the battle he was required to act as guard to watch and take care of the cattle for the support of the Army, his draft was for two months and it expired the day after the battle, and he was discharged, but in consequence of the confusion resulting from the battle he did not get a discharge, he was discharged at a place called "Penneybakers mills" to which place he was marched during the night, after the battle after he was discharged he went to Chester County Pennsylvania and was hired by Col. Andrew Boyd as substitute in the place of some Quaker who refused to serve, was placed under command of Capt. Anderson his christian name not recollected, he substituted not far from little Brandywine in Chester County for two months in the militia Capt. Andersons Company belonged to Col. Boyds Regiment and was marched to the camp near Philadelphia and joined General Erwins Brigade, and at a place called Chesnut Hill, had a skirmish with the British in which Gen. Erwin was wounded and taken prisoner by the British, he recollects that while in this service near Philadelphia at the "Breast Works" he acted as an advanced guard to some troops marched by Col. or General Bull, during a dark night he advanced before the rest and took a British guard prisoner, he saw the guard carrying in wood to the guard house, he watched him get near him and presented his bayonet, the guard begged for g___ters, he hurried the prisoner off with haste they were however discovered and caused the British to fire alarm Guns. On the next day General Bull directed him to convey the prisoner to General Washington who was above the "rising sun" with a letter to General Washington giving the circumstances by which the prisoner was taken, when he arrived and presented the prisoner and letter to General Washington the General enquired if he was "Whiteman" and on being answered in affirmative General Washington directed a trade of French Brandy to be given to Declarant, and handed him five dollars and told him to drink his Washingtons health and said "well done my good fellow stick to it" Soon after this circumstance occured his two months tour expired and was discharged near a place called the "White Marsh" in December 1777 the precise time not recollected, he received from Captain Anderson a written discharge which was destroyed in consequence of his house having been destroyed by fire. During his service last mentioned his father moved to Bucks County Pennsylvania and the declarant went to his fathers after he was discharged by Capt. Anderson and remained at home until about the 1st of July 1778 When at Redders in Bucks County Pennsylvania he was drafted for a two months tour in the militia under Captain Sebastian Miller and marched against the ___man Indians up the Delaware River about 60 miles above East Town to Col. Strouds and joined General Cowatts Brigade, he thinks Cowatts was the Generals name but cannot be certain, it was understood that soma Indians were further up the River, he volunteered to go after them, was put under a regular officer whose name he has forgotten, we proceeded up the Delaware to where the Indians were, killed seven Indians near a place called "Cook house" also one white man was killed and then taken prisoners, then we returned with the prisoners to General Cowatts (Cowalts) head quarters, the prisoners were sent to East Town Jail and understood were there hung, the Company he belonged to were soon thereafter with some other Troops sent under command of a Major whose name he does not recollect to a place called Minisink at Wells Ferry to guard the frontier settlement, remained in that neighborhood until about the 1st of Sept. 1778 when he was discharged, his discharge was given by Capt. Miller which was also destroyed when his house was burnt. He then returned to Bucks County, Pennsylvania and in the Fall of 1780 he removed to Augusta County Virginia and in December of that year he took the place of Philip Heckart as his substitute in Thomas Hicklins Company of Virginia Militia for a three months tour. Capt. Hicklins Company belonged to Col. Sampson Matthews Regiment and was marched from Augusta County, Virginia to the Dismal Swamps near Pourtsmouth in Virginia against Benedict Arnold "the Traitor" who commanded part of the British forces, during this service had several skirmishes with the British in which several of the British were killed as well as several of our men, he recollects that a Capt. Cunningham from Augusta was killed in a skirmish, remained in the neighborhood of Portsmoth Virginia until in March 1781 When he was discharged having been in this last mentioned service about three months, his discharge was given by Capt. Jacob Warwick who was appointed Capt. over our Company in the place of said Hicklin who was broke of his commission during the service. He then returned to Augusta County, Virginia and not long thereafter in Rockingham County, Virginia, he took the place of Henry Swadley as his substitute in Capt. Houstons Company, his Christian name not recollected for a two months tour, Capt. Houstons Company belonged to Col. Harrisons Regiment, was marched through Albemarle County, Virginia and Richmond to James Town, Virginia and was at the battle at that place. We joined on our way between Albemarle and Richmond Gen. Muhlenburgs Brigade, during this service we were joined by Gen. Anthony Wayne and Gen. Lafayette, he thinks at Bottoms Bridge, he recollects that two men were shot at Bottoms Bridge, they belonged to Gen. Waynes or Gen. Lafayettes troops he also recollects that Gen. Campbell from Carolina took command in the place of Gen. Muhlenburg, he served out his time of two months and was at Bottoms Bridge discharged, his discharge was given by Capt. Houston, he then returned to Augusta County, Virginia about September 1781 and soon thereafter took the place of George Puffingburry as his substitute, in Augusta County we met at Staunton, Virginia were received by Ensign Bush of a Virginia State Regiment for a six months tour, we were marched by our Ensign to little York, Virginia and placed under Capt. Ewell (his christian name not recollected) of the Virginia State troops, one of the Lieutenants under Capt Ewell was named Slaughter, the other named Mann this ensign was named Bush their christian not recollected their Company belonged to Col. Dabneys Virginia State Regiment, he was at York Town at the surrender of Cornwallis. and saw Gen. Washington, Gen. Lafayiette and Gen. Wayne, after the "seige of York" Col. Dabneys Regiment was sent to Portsmouth to level Gen. Arnolds batteries and he aided in levelling the batteries. Capt. Ewells Company was then sent to subdue the tories about Princess Anne County, Virginia we then marched back to Portsmouth again when Capt. Ewells Company was sent to Richmond to guard the Continel stores, we remained in Richmond until in March 1782 when he was discharged, his discharge was given by Capt. Ewell which with all his discharges were destroyed when his house was burnt as before mentioned. Service was about six months, making his entire service during the revolution about 17 months. During his service he got the camp fever, the effects of which he was never been rid of and for many years past has made him a cripple. He has no documentary evidence, but supposes that Henry Fansler did.

Jacob - Lesher of Randolph County, Virginia and George Keller of the same County and Gen. William Mc_oy of Pendleton County, Virginia can testify to part of his services. To the 1st question directed by the War Department to be propounded, He answers that he was born in Philadelphia, Pa in the year 1759. To the 2nd Interrogatory He answers he has no record of his age his Bible in which his name and age was recorded was burnt when his house was destroyed by fire. To the 3rd Interrogatory, He answers that he has already stated that he was living in Philadelphia when he was first called into the service. Since the revolution he has resided in Counties of Augusta, Pendleton and Randolph, Virginia and at present lives in Randolph County, Virginia. To the 4th Interrogatory, He answers that he has as fully answered this question in his Declaration as his memory enables him to do. To the 5th Interrogatory, He makes the same answer. To the 6th Interrogatory, He makes the same answer. To the 7th Interrogatory, He states that he is known to Thomas O. Williams and Ely Butcher _____ in his present neighborhood who can testify as to his character for verasity and their belief of his service as a soldier of the revolution.

He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuty except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.

Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

Mr. Thomas Collett, a Clergyman, residing in the neighborhood of Henry Whiteman the above applicant and Thomas 0 Williams and Ely Butcher_____ residing in the same neighborhood hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Henry Whiteman, who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration. That we believe him to be 73 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that was concus in their opinion, and that said Whiteman is __ turned a man of virasity and truth.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after p___ting the interragotory prescribed by the War Department that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Thomas Collett who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the neighborhood of the above applicant, and that Thomas O Williams and Ely Butcher, who has also signed the same are resident in the same neighborhood and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Archibald Earle, Clerk of the Court of Randolph County do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Henry Whiteman for a pension.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 23rd day of October 1832.

A Earle Clerk RC