RevWar research tips
All:
I receive lots of newsletters. Here's one everyone on the list could benefit from (except maybe Geri, this is probably pretty basic stuff for her).
Best regards,
ed
**********
Subject:
Revolutionary War Research
Date:
Mon, 11 Sep 2000 21:24:42 -0400
From:
[email protected]
To:
"Expert Genealogy"
EXPERT GENEALOGY
Editor: Jeannette Holland Austin
Series: Revolutionary War
Subject: Research
Date: September 11, 2000
Last week's article is located at http://www.genealogy-http://www.genealogy-
books.com/expert/exp2.htm
Sorry for the confusion.
It is a good idea to do some background reading on the American Revolution, to better understand where to research.
During that early period of the colonies, service in the
Continental Army was precarious. Farmers
signed up for 3-months at a time, then went home to plow.
Also, everyone did not fight in the
Continental Army, but also in State Militias. This is why many of
the pension applications were rejected.
An example is the Battle of Kettle Creek, in Wilkes County,
Georgia. During the Savannah occupation,
the various militia armies removed their soldiers into South
Carolina, using guerilla-type warfare. Records
of this type of activity is difficult to find, however, can be gleaned
from individual pension records.
By all means, the pension applications are the place to research.
Not only did the soldier apply, but his
widow as well as surviving (indigent) children. In order to qualify
for the pension, the widows and children
has to supply bible records, details as to marriage, as well as the
soldier's service.When a pension was
rejected (R precedes the pension number), it was usually
because of insufficient information from witnesses,
as well as short periods of service which could not be proven.
Oaths (substantiatingservice) from other soldiers and officers
had to accompany the application.
The pensions are filled with life-action and excitement, as
soldiers describe battles, squirmishes, and their
muster activities. This is where the genealogist learns about real
history - not portrayed in the history books,
but rather from individual stories.
The National Archives (and its regional offices) has microfilm
available on these pensions, as well as a book
index. An application can contain as many as 10 to 20 pages of
information from the applicants, as well as
witnesses.
Recommended Reading
C5080. RECORDS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR Third Edition
(bound with:) Index to Saffell's List of Virginia Soldiers in the Revolution
by J. T. McAllister, William T. Saffell, 598 pp., paper. (1894, 1913), repr.
1996. $45.00.
Contains rosters, with service records, of about 15,000 soldiers and
officers from the New England States, New York, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Virginia and South Carolina, arranged by regiment, company,
and corps. (1894, 1913) reprint. 599 pp., originall fullname plus subject
indices, paper. This book contains information not otherwise published,
from government correspence, and contains some death dates, muster of
troops at various places and times for above States, and much more.
G-1510. KING'S MOUNTAIN AND ITS HEROES by Lyman C. Draper. A
classic work, by an eminent historian, it is based on material gathered
over a forty-year period from survivors of the engagement, their
descendants, contemporary narratives, and original documents. It
contains extensive sketches, notices, and biographies of the leading
figures, including considerable genealogical data. (1881), 1997 reprint,
612 pp., cloth. $35.00
M-161D. Calendar of the George Rogers Clark Papers of The Draper
Collection of Manuscripts, Volume IV
Another classic from the Draper Collection, this volume contains the
George Rogers Clark Papers which center on military personal and
events before and after the Revolutionary War. Examples of actual
records:
Pennsylvania Journal. Excerpt of a communication from
Loyalhanna (Pa.). Sept. 25. Report of the recent action and
defeat before Fort Duquesne; plans for the next move: army in
good spirits: Maj. (James) Grant, Maj. (Andrew) Lewis,
Lieutenant Rider, Ensign Jenkins, Capital Hugh McKenzie, and
Captain McDonald taken prisioners. Copy. 3 pp. Oct. 19, 1758.
Monroe, James. Richmond (VA.) Letter to (George Rogers
Clark). Has confidence in Major (John) Crittenden: requests an
opinion of land sold him by Crittenden; will set out from
Princeton tomorrow; very doubtful as to whether he shall go
aboard with (Thomas) Jefferson on a diplomatic mission;
similarity of his and Clark's interests in the western county;
plans for an independent state westward; mentions Colonel
Marshall and his son John. A.S.S. 3 pp.
Carrington, Mrs. Paul S. Letter to ? ?. Suggests that
information concerning John (Hue Beverly) Roy, the
Revolutionary soldier might be had from Col. John Roy Taylor
of Dallas, Texas, and A.W. Wigglesworth of Spottsylvania
County, VA.; mentions data obtained from her cousin, Eubelie
Waller. (1887?)
If you are researching ancestors during the Revolutionary War era, this
book is for you.
690 Pages, 8.75" x 5.75", Index, McDowell Publications, Hardback, $61.00
M-161C.CALENDAROF THE TENNESSEE AND KING'S
MOUNTAIN PAPERS OF THE DRAPER COLLECTION,
VOL. 3. Contains original material on the early settlers, pioneers,
soldiers, chronological
listing with brief description, index, 698 pp. Cloth $58.00.
M-161E. CALENDAR OF THE THOMS SUMTER PAPERS OF THE
DRAPER COLLECTION OF
MANUSCRIPTS, Vol. 5, data on many Revolutionary Soldiers of the
Carolinas and
elsewhere, much historical and geneal information, index, 603 pp. Cloth.
$52.00
S/H $4.00 1st book, $2.00 for each book thereafter.
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More Replies:
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Re: RevWar research tips
Kenneth Walker 9/13/00
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Re: RevWar research tips
Kenneth Walker 9/11/00