SOWYEL WOOLFOLK, Woodford Co. Ky. - Indian fighter
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In reply to:
Re: SOWEL WOOLFOLK, Woodford Co. Ky.
7/06/99
In researching a Jones ancestor, I found a Rev War pension of a soldier serving under Capt. (later Col.) Sowyel Woolfolk (aka Woodfolk):
Pension Application R5718 -- John Jones, Sr. (1762 Rowan Co. NC - 1851 Bath Co. KY)
[p. 1]
{Indian campaigns}
{in KY 1783-84}
------------------------------------------------------------b. Feb 20, 1762 in Roan Co. N.C.
res. at enl. in what was later Woodford Co. Ky
In 1847 res. Bath Co. Ky
[p. 2]
State of Kentucky, Bath Co.
On this eleventh day of January one thousand eight hundred and forty seven personally appeared in open Court and now sitting in in Bath County and State of Kentucky John Jones a resident of said State and County aged eighatyfive years the twentyeth day of Feby Next month 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 Congrefs passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the services of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
"I was caled into actual Service by the orders of Capt. Sowyel Woolfolk I think in the 1783 or 1784 which year I cannot conclusively state but do state my time of service commenced under Capt. Woodfolk in one of the years 1783 or 84 and was under his command as a Spy and ranger for the term of three years.I first settled in the now county of Woodford near Gouvenor Scott and near Kentucky river.My services as Spy and ranger was mostly in the defence of the settlements from the falls of the Ohio and Louisville up to Lexington and often below Louisville and down to Harrodsburgh.
"I was close in persuit of the Indians when they kiled the son of Gover Scott on the Kentucky river.they also kiled a man named Valentine at the same time they kiled young Scott.I as the spy gave immediate information to Capt. Woolfolk.he and his company went in persuit of them.We took the trail, came to spot where the two men were kiled, crosed Kentuck river and persued them but did not overtake them.We returned almost unable to travel from fatige and Starvation.
"John Craig was Lieutenant in Capt. Woodfolk's Company and a very efficient officer.I Served as stated under Capt. Woodfolk and afterwards Col. Sowyel Woodfolk as Spy and ranger three years through Heat, Cold, Starvation and Nakedness.a pint of parched corn was often three day provision.often I had nothing not even corn on forced marches to Capt.
[p. 3]
to Capt. Woodfolk.I was appointed and so was George Corn or Cohhorn [sp?]. we were often together.Corn or Cohhorn ranged and spyed in the upper part of the State as well as in the lower part.both of us appointed by Capt. Woodfolk at the same time.George Corn was in the battle of the Blue Licks and was shot through his mouth or jaw.he was as brave a man as any man in his day.he feared no Indians.
"I also volunteered to go with Col. [George Rogers] Clark's regiment to go on an expedition against the Indians.We rendevoused at Frankford Kentucky and Marched to mete Col. Clark at Louisville where we joined Clark's regiment.I went as a volunteer with Col. Clark against the Indians.we march acrofs the country through a very swampy wet overflowd country of land untill we came to post Vincen, now Vincenns [Vincennes (now in Knox Co., Indiana) on the Wabash River -- the western boundary of Indiana].we encamped near that place about ten days.During that time post Vincenns was surrendered to Col. Clarkand we took a number Indians Prisoner, I think thirty or more.after this we again took up a line of march to go further into the back country but owing to the fact that our provifsions were all et up and consumed Col. Clark march us back to the Ohio [River] oposite Louisville where we were discharged.
"I further state that the close of my Services under Col. Sowyel Woodfolk I did not get my Discharge nor did I get a discharge from him and having removed to Bath County where I now live I did not see him for many years.I caled on him in Woodford County in July 1815 and after the usual serimonies and conversation about our Services I asked him to give me something to show for my service while I was under his command as a Spy and ranger.Col. Woodfolk then made and gave to me
[p. 4]
the certificate which I hereunto attach to my application [certificate not found in file] and rely upon as full and ample evidence of my service in maner as set forth in this my application."
"I further state I Know of [no] man living by whoom I can prove my services.The last man who I knew who did serve with me was Rodger Clemmons an old brother soldier who Died about five years since.I therefore rely on the certificate given to me by Col. Sowyel Woodfolk in 1815 for proof of my service."
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I'd like to know more about the activities of Capt. Woolfolk's company in which John Jones served -- what did they do, and when did they do it?I've seen the Nov. 20, 1786 list for Capt. Sowel Woolfolk's Company, referenced in an earlier posting on this forum.
Are there any company lists for Capt. Woolfolk that predate the Nov. 20, 1786 list?Did Capt. Woolfolk command a company in 1783 or 1784, as Jones remembered, or earlier?
Did Capt. Woolfolk go on Col. Clark's Sep 1786 expedition against the Wabash Indians?
What do his military service records (or other recors) show about when he served as a company commander in KY and what he and his company did?
Are there any other first person accounts by Woolfolk or any of his soldiers about their activities with his company?
More Replies:
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Re: SOWYEL WOOLFOLK, Woodford Co. Ky. - Indian fighter
Jourdan Burke, Jr. 2/18/05
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Re: SOWYEL WOOLFOLK, Woodford Co. Ky. - Indian fighter
John Guittard 2/18/05
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Re: SOWYEL WOOLFOLK, Woodford Co. Ky. - Indian fighter
Geneva (Ashby) Jones 7/06/05
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Re: SOWYEL WOOLFOLK, Woodford Co. Ky. - Indian fighter
Elizabeth Woolfolk 5/20/05
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Re: SOWYEL WOOLFOLK, Woodford Co. Ky. - Indian fighter
Jourdan Burke, Jr. 2/19/05
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Re: SOWYEL WOOLFOLK, Woodford Co. Ky. - Indian fighter
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Re: SOWYEL WOOLFOLK, Woodford Co. Ky. - Indian fighter