Re: Jeremiah Bentley b1759 15th VA at Valley Forge AM REV VET # S39192
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Re: Jeremiah Bentley b1759 15th VA at Valley Forge AM REV VET # S39192
Judy Longley 7/09/07
Thanks Jade,
That Muster Roll site wasn't working when I went to it before. My Q to you is: Was or was not the 15 VA at Valley Forge? At least 1 site states it is not proven but may have been there.
The 15th VA was re-designated the 11th Virginia on September 14, 1778 according to my information, but you stated 12 May 1779. Some other pension apps also indicate that some consolidating was going on earlier than 1779.
Jeremiah stated that "on the 14th day of January 1778 he joined General Washington's army at Valley Forge......in the [15th VA] Regiment and {Gen. Woodford's] Brigade above mentioned." I find it interesting that he had the exact date. We known where Woodford was, but how much of his brigade was at VF?. Do you have a Moses Woosley or a George Belcher at Valley Forge?How good are the VF records? Any reference to indicate missing muster rolls? Were these rolls only bi-monthly?
Jeremiah's statement that Capt James Mason (and he indicated that the name was "to the best of his recollection") replaced Capt James Foster upon his death (you stated that was on 15 Nov. 1777) so there is certainly the possibility that Capt James Mason was his Captain in the 15th VA from that date until some point prior to Mason's February 1778 resignation. Note that Jeremiah claims that he arrived at Valley Forge on Jan 14 and there is no record of Capt. James Mason of VA being there being there.
Jeremiah made 2 applications the first one in 1818.
He stated "That on the 28th day of August, 1777, he enlisted in the County of Amelia & State of Virginia, as a private......for a term of three years in the Continental establishment under a certain Robert Foster who was either Lieutenant or Ensign (but your petitioner is not confident which) in ....... the 15th Virginia Regiment, and in General Woodford's Brigade..."
He next states "That in the Spring of 1779 he was placed under the command of General Anthony Wayne, and served in a Company of Light Infantry commanded by Capt Samuel Booker; That he fought at Stoney Point, and was at the siege of Charlestown....in 1780 ; at which time he was taken prisoner by the enemy, and kept aboard a prison ship for the term of nine months, when he was taken sick and sent to the Hospital in Charleston, from which he privately escaped on the 9th of May, at night, in the year 1781 and returned to his home in Amelia County in the State of Virginia." His 3 year enlistment had expired "but a short time afterward he received in the City of Richmond.....from.... Col. Davis by the direction of his former Captain Samuel Booker, an honorable discharge." He also states that "he was at Trenton in New Jersey, placed under the command of Capt. William Moseley, in the First Virginia Regiment, Woodford Brigade......[where] he served until he was made Prisoner..."
Jeremiah does not state 100% of his service time officers and locations, just "highlights."
In his 1821 petition, he states that he also served originally under "Col. Ennis" [Lt Col. James? Innes of the 15th VA] and lastly under "Colonel Russell" [William? of the 1st VA] when imprisoned at Charleston. THIS EXACTLY THE 1st VA's 1780 CAROLINA CAMPAIGN!
Anyone have a list or records of prisoners taken at Charleston (or on ships there).
Thanks,
George Bentley
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Re: Jeremiah Bentley b1759 15th VA at Valley Forge AM REV VET # S39192
Judy Longley 7/10/07