Pension Declaration Captain Henry Connelly 15 August 1833

Captain Henry Connelly

Henry Connelly was a Captain of Cavalry, in the War of

Independence, in North Carolina. The record of this service is

contained in declaration made in application for a pension, now on

file in ther Bureau of Pensions, Washington, and of which I made

copies in the year 1902. These declarations are set out here:

DECLARATION

On this 15th day of August, 1833, personnally appeared before

me, James Davis, a Justice of the Peace now sitting, HENRY CONNELLY, a

resident of Floyd County, and State of Kentucky, aged Eighty one

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 7th, 1832:

That he entered the service of the United States under the

following named officers and served as herein stated:

That he entered the service and commanded one hundred State

troops of North Carolina (called militia) as the Captain thereof on

the 7th day of July 1777, for five years or during the war in the

County of Guilford, North Carolina. His Colonel in the first

instance was Colonel John Williams. Then under Colonel Paisley.

Then by Colonel John Taylor.

And lastly, by Colonel Billy Washington. This applicant's company

was a Horse Company and was raised for the especial purpose of

keeping down a daring Tory Colonel by the name of Fanning who had

made several daring attempts in the neighborhood of Salisbury and

Charlotte. During the first year of the service of this applicant,

by the orders of his Colonel, the company traversed

and marched to Rowan and Guilford in order to keep Fanning and his

confederates down.

During this year, in the month of October, the company encountered

his scouts and routed them with some loss. The general rendezvous

of the Tories was in that region of the country called the Haw Ford

on the Haw River.

These counties and the adjacent neighborhood was assigned to the

applicant's charge by His Excellency the Govenor of North Carolina,

in the month of June 1778.

And that winter he and his company rendezvoused at Salisbury. The

particulars of this years service was only a few fights with the

Tories. The War was raging in the North, whither that distinguished

and active officer, Colonel William Davidson had gone, and all

remaining for the constituted authorities to do was to keep down the

Tories, which were so numerous in this region of North Carolina.

During this year

1778, the men suffered much for clothes and every necessary, and our

forage master frequently had to press forage for our perishing

horses.

Continential money was then one hundred dollars for one - for this

applicant could not get a breakfast for $100 in Continental money

During this year, by order of the Govenor, this applicant's company

was placed under the direction of Colonel Davie, who then commanded

the North Carolina Cavalry; but he renewed the old orders, and my

district still remained as under my former orders.

Early in March, 1779, the Tories broke out with great fury at a

place called the Haw Fields, whither this applicant and his horse

company repaired and dislodged them with the assistance of Colonel

Lyttle from Rowan who commanded a regiment of militia. During this year

the Tories were fast accumulating in Rowan, and this applicant's Horse

Company was almost withdrawn from Guilford to that section of North

Carolina. The Whigs this year took a great many Tories, who were all

put in jail at Hillsborough (Hillsboro) and Salisbury.

In the month of November 1779, orders were received by Colonel

Paisley from Colonel Davie, the Commanding Colonel, to rendezvous at

Salisbury to the South to join General Lincoln at Savannah, but

about this time news arrived that General Lincoln was overtaken at

Charlestown, and all were taken prisoners.

General Davidson now raised several hundred men, and

Colonel Brevard had several skirmishes with the Loyalists, in which

this applicant and his company actively participated at Colson's

Mills.

About this time at a place in the western part of the state (N.C.)

the Tories had collected to a great number and we marched

against them and (met them) at Colson's Mills.

This was in the month of May 1780, as well as this applicant

recollects. He recollects well that it was just before or about the

time of Gates' defeat at Camden. During this winter and the fall

this applicant's company abandoned his district of "protection"

and under Colonel Davis and General Davidson opposed the

passage of Lord Cornwallis through North Carolina.

At the time of approach of Cornwallis to Charlotte, under

Colonel Davie the troops posted themselves to meet the enemy.

On the enemy's approach the companies commanded by this applicant

received the first onset from Tarleton's Cavalry, and the

firing became general on the left wing. The troops

were commanded by Colonel Davie in person, and for three times we

succeeded in repulsing the enemy. At length we had to yield to

superior numbers.

In this battle we had many men killed, several from under this

applicant.

In December, just before Christmas, General Nathaniel Greene, from

the north, took command of us all. This was in 1780. We all, by his

proclamation and the orders of our Govenor, were placed under his

command, and assembled at Charlotte. From there this applicant was

placed under Colonel Washington and Marched to Augusta and Ninety

Six. After marching in a southern direction for several days

news came that Tarleton was after us.

We were all now under General Morgan, and a terrible conflict ensued

at the Cowpens between Tarleton's men and the army under General

Morgan.

Here the Americans were victorious and took a great many military

stores, cannons, baggage and six or seven hundred British and Tory

Prisoners. This was in January 1781. It was cold weather but

inclined to be raining during this battle.

The company which belonged to this applicant was placed

under Colonel Howard, on the extreme right of the Division, and this

applicant commanded a company in the center. Our company, when just

about to catch up to our horses was hid about four hundred paces in

the rear of the line of battle. (The enemy) fell upon us with great

fury, but we were fortunately relieved by Washington's Legion that

hastened to our assistance.

After this engagement we all formed a junction with General

Greene, and retreated with him to Dan (River) and crossed over into

Virginia and remaining there but a short period, marched back to

Guilford Courthouse, and this applicant actively participated in that

memorable battle, and he had the mortification to see his men in a

panic fly at the approach of the enemy; and although this applicant

endeavored to rally them, it was impossible, and many even retreated

to their homes. But this applicant remained

and continued to fight until the Americans were thrown into disorder

and confusion and defeated. About this time or a few days afterwards,

this applicant being unwell, and his company broken, obtained a

respite for a while, which was granted him (by the Govenor).

He remained at home and did not go with General Greene to Ninety Six.

During this summer he did all he could to get his company to assemble.

Their cry was "no pay" and their families required them at home.

He then went from Guilford over into Virginia, and in September 1781,

he raised a small volunteer company for three

months, to join General Washington at Little York (Yorktown).

Little York was, however taken before this applicant arrived. He

knew a great many Continental Officers, and regiments, and

Militia Officers, during his service.

In the Month of October the term of service of the Company from

Montgomery County, Virginia, just mentioned, expiring, he gave them their

discharges, and he himself returned to North Carolina, where he received the

thanks of the Govenor and a certificate stating his services.

This applicant knew General Smallwood, General Davidson, General

Rutherford, General Pickens, General Sumner, General Otho Williams,

Colonel Cleveland, Colonel Lyttle, Colonel William Washington Colonel

Malmody? (Malmedy)?, Colonel Lee (Light Horse Harry-from

Virginia),General Goodwin, Colonel J. E. Howard, who commanded the

Third Maryland Regiment, Captain Holgin, Colonel Paisley,

John Williams. The Baron Dekalb, Colonel Brevard and many

other Continental and Militia Officers that he now

forgotten. He has now no documentary evidence in his favor, having

forwarded his commission about six years ago by General Alexander

Lackey to the War Department. It has never been returned to this

applicant. He received a letter from the Secretary of War

informing him that as he was not a

regular he could not be allowed (his pension). His commission was

from the Govenor of North Carolina. He has made search and inquiry

for it for sometime, and he believes the same is lost or mislaid.

He refers the War Department to Henry B. Mayo, Esq., The

Honorable David K. Harris, to Colonel Francis A. Brown, to Colonel

John Van Hoose, the Reverand Henry Dixon, the Reverend Cuthbert

Stone, the Reverend Samuel Hanna, the Reverend Ezekiel Stone,

Reverend Wallace Bailey, to Andrew Rule, Esq., to John Rice,

and to Jacob Mayo, Esq., Clerk of the Floyd County

Circuit Courts.

These can testify to his character for his veracity and their

belief of this applicant's service as a soldier and officer of the

Revolution.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

signed - Henry Connelly

(seal)

Att: J. Davis

We, Wallace Bailey, a Clergyman, residing in the County of Floyd

and State of Kentucky, and John Rice, residing in the same, to wit

Floyd County, Kentucky, hereby certify that they are well acquainted

with Henry Connelly, who has subscribed and sworn to the above application,

that we believe him to be eighty-one 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 we concur in that opinion.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

(signed)

Wallis

Baily (seal)

John Rice (seal)

And I do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of

the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the

War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary

soldier (an officer) and served as he states. An I further certify

that it appears to me that Wallis Bailey who has signed the

preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of

Floyd and state of Kentucky, and that John Rice, who has

also signed the same, is a resident of the County of Floyd and state

of Kentucky, and are credible persons, and that their statement is

entitled to credit, and do further certify that the applicant

cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend court.

(signed) James Davis, J.P.F.Co.

(seal)

INTERROGATORIES

Where and what year were you born?

Ans. I was born in Pennsylvania, Chester County, on the 2nd day of

May 1751.

Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?

I have it in my Bible, recorded there by my Father (In Dutch). I

have it at my house.

Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived

since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?

I was living in Guilford County North Carolina, where I have lived

since my father moved from Chester (County), Pennsylvania. up to the

Revolution. I have lived three years in the County of Montgomery,

in the State of Virginia, and the residue of the time I have lived

in this County - where I now live.

How were you called into service. Were you drafted, did you

volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom?

Ans. I was a volunteer, under the Government of North Carolina by an

invitation from the Govenor, and (my Command) were called State

Troops or Militia. A part of the men under my command were drafted

men for eighteen months. A Small portion was for six months, and

about forty were volunteers for and during the War. I was called into

service by a recruiting officer by the name of Holgin,

I think a regular officer. I made up

my company and reported to the Colonel and went forthwith into

active service.

Did you ever receive a Commission, and if so, by whom was it signed,

and what has become of it?

Ans. I did receive a Captain's Commission from Govenor Burke of

North Carolina. It was, I believe signed by him. I gave it about six

years ago to General Lackey, who says he sent it to the War

Department, he thinks. I have made search and cannot find it. It

was never returned to me.

State the Names of some of the regular officers who were with the

troops when you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as

you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.

Ans. I knew General Greene, I have seen General Gates at Hillsboro.

(I knew) General Smallwood, General Davidson, General Pickens, General

Sumner, General Otho Williams, Colonel Billy Washington. Colonel Lee,

Colonel Howard, the Baron Dekalb. I have seen in 1780, Captain

Holgin, Colonel John Williams, Colonel Nat Williams, who commanded

the Ninth Regiment North Carolina Militia in 1778,

Colonel Paisley, Colonel Buncombe, Captain Charles Briant,

Colonel Brevard, Major (often called Colonel) De

Malmody, and old Colonel Cleveland., Lieutenant Joseph Lewis,

Major Charles Anderson, and William Boma Ensign.

I was directed by Govenor Burke and Colonel Davie to keep down

Fanning in Guilford and Rowan. This applicant did with one hundred

men, a horse company. He served in 1777 in this capacity, likewise

in 1778 and until the fall of 1779. He then joined General

Davidson and was with him at the battle of Colson's Mills

where he (General Davis)got wounded.

This was in May or June 1780. He was at the battle of Hillsboro and

had nineteen of his horsemen killed on the field and seven died the next

day of their wounds. I was in the battle of COWPENS, under Colonel Washington

and Colonel Howard in January 1781, and Tarleton was defeated and we

took his baggage and several hundred prisoners. I retreated with my horse

company with General Greene to Dan (River) - went over into Virginia, and

remained with the Army until the battle of Guilford (Courthouse).

I was in that battle and my men broke very near at first charge,

in a panic, and fled, and many went even home.

When my roll was called at the Iron Works I had but a few men left.

I was then

State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present

neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity,

and their belief of your services as a soldier and officer of the

Revolution.

Ans.

I refer to General Lackey, to Colonel Brown, Colonel T. W.

Graham, to Austin Litteral, to Jacob Mayo, Esq., to Andrew Rule, to

the Rev Ezekiel Stone, to Rev Wallis Bailey

Sworn to before me.

(signed) James Davis.

J.P.F.C. (seal)

SUPPORTING AFFIDAVITS

Personally appeared before the undersigned, one of the Commonwealths

Justices of the Peace, Phillip Williamson, Senior, of the County of

Lawrence, Kentucky and made oath that he is eighty-four years of

age, that previous to the commencement to the American Revolution he resided

in Wake County, North Carolina, that he shortly after the commencement of the

Revolution moved to Guilford County, and afterwards to Rowan County, that in

the year of 1777, in the fall season thereof, Captain Henry Connelly, now of

this County.

was constitutional and commissioned a Captain in the North Carolina

Cavalry. I was then well acquainted with him, and he was appointed

to keep down Fanning.

I was frequently with him in the next year in Rowan. This was in

the summer of 1778. He then commanded the company of cavalry

aforesaid. I recollect to have seen him several times in

Hillsboro where the prisoners were kept.

I also recollect him and his company was in the service

during the year following in 1779, for I well remember

several Tories his company brought in.

In the month of February 1780, I left Rowan, and came back over to

Washington County in the State of Virginia. I remained there till

may and then I went back to North Carolina. Captain Connelly was

then out with his Horse Company with General Davidson against the

Tories. I do not remember that I saw him anymore for some time.

I, about this time enlisted in the service as a "three months" man

and joined General Greene.

When we were retreating I again saw Captain Connelly commanding

his company in the service as a Captain. The infantry was

compelled to assist the cavalry over the streams.

He was at the battle of Guilford. I recollect that I

saw him a day or two afterwards in the Army. I have known him for a

long time since the Revolution.

Captain Connelly was a Captain of the Troops raised by

North Carolina (not Continental). And further this deponent saith

not.

(signed)

Phillip Williamson (seal)

Sworn to and executed before Francis A. Brown, Justice of Peace of

Floyd

County, October 2nd 1833.

On this 24th day of August 1833, personally appeared before me,

the undersigned, one of the Commonwealths Justices of the Peace for

Floyd County, Jonathan Pytts, an aged man, and now on the Pension

Agency of Kentucky, and made the following statement on oath relative to the

service of Captain Henry Connelly, who was an officer in the Revolutionary War.

This affiant

states that he resided in Rowan County, North Carolina long before

the war, and that during 1777, Captain Connelly, who was a Captain of a horse

company from Guilford arrived in the neighborhood of the uncle of this

affiant, with whom this affiant resided. His business, he told us, was to

assist us in keeping the Tories down. A great many Scotch Tories

had accumulated under Fanning, and many about the Haw Fields,

and a place called Cross Creek, He was, off and on,

during that year in Rowan. I saw him several times in

Salisbury in that year. In the year 1778 he and his company still

were in Rowan.

He knew him very well in the year 1779, for he was according to this

affiants recollection, all year in Rowan until Colonel William

Davidson came back from General Washington's Army and raised men

to go help General Lincoln at Charleston, South Carolina.

This affiant saw Captain Connelly frequently in Rowan.

And the next year or the year after, this affiant again saw

him and his company just before General Greene got to Dan. He was

along with the Army. This affiant does not know whether

Captain Connelly was in the battle of Guilford or not,

for this affiant had been sent on an express to

Burk (now called Burke). He does not know how long Captain Connelly

enlisted for. He belonged to the North Carolina Cavalry,

and how long he served this affiant does not not know precisely.

He does not know who was Captain Connelly's Colonel;

if he ever knew he has entirely forgotten. The impression

of this affiant is that Captain Connelly's horse company consisted

of one hundred men, but he does not pretend to certainty about this fact.

And further this deponent saith not.

(signed) Jonathan

Pytts (seal)

Subscribed and sworn before Stephen Hamilton, Justice of the Peace,

Floyd

County, Kentucky, August 24, 1833.

On this (10th) day of October 1833, personally appearing before

me, the undersigned, one of the Commonwealth's Justices of the Peace,

Benedict Wadkins, aged seventy-four years, who being duly sworn on

the holy evangilists, (deposes and says) that he was a resident of the State

of North Carolina, Rowan County, during the Revolution; that in the

year 1777, and 1778, he knew there Captain Connelly, who then commanded

as a Captain in the North Carolina Cavalry; and I saw him in Salisbury

also in the summer of 1779. He was still commanding his horse company in the

service of the United States as a Captain. Captain Connelly, then I think,

lived in Guilford (County). When the army was under General Greene I saw him

once with the Army at Hillsboro; and he was with the army in the retreat

from Cornwallis.

The last time I remember to have seen him was after the battle of

Guilford - the next day. He was then a Captain as he was in 1777

and 1778 and 1779. I cannot state how long Captain Connelly served,

but I know he was commissioned as a Captain of Cavalry and served

in that capacity for several years. When I came to the Sandy

(the Big Sandy Valley) many years since, I found

Captain Connelly here. Since then I have known him well. I

recollect to have heard it asserted that he was at the

COWPENS when Tarleton got defeated,

but as I was not there, I cannot attest to that fact. The Tories

were very bad in the western part of the State and Captain Connelly was

appointed to keep them down. I distinctly remember that he

commanded one hundred men and they were all chiefly Dutch Soldiers.

And further this deponent saith not.

(signed)

Benedict Wadkins

(seal)

The deposition of William Haney, aged 75 years, that in 1781 he

became acquainted with Captain Connnelly of the North Carolina Light

Horse.

He was then commanding as a Captain in the North Carolina Troops.

When General Greene's army retreated into Virginia I remember that he was

with the army. He was in the battle of Guilford Courthouse, I well

Remember. I have known him many years since the revolution, and I know him well

to be the same man.

Given under my hand this 9th day of October, 1833.

(signed) William Haney

Sworn to before Shadrach Preston, Justice of the Peace, Floyd

County, October 9th 1833, and the Justice certifies that Haney was a

credible witness, as had all Justices of the other affiants.

Kentucky, to wit.}

The statement of Mesias Hall, aged fifty-five years, who upon

his oath, states that he is a native of the state of North Carolina,

Wilkes County.

That he recollects many of the events at the close of the

revolution. That he lived and was raised a near neighbor to Captain

Henry Connelly, Sr. That he always understood from all persons that

he served in the North Carolina State Troops in that capacity in

which he stated. That he never was doubted by any person.

He thinks one of his brother-in-laws served under

him in the Revolution. who is long since dead.

(signed)Mesias Hall

Subscribed and sworn to before John Friend. Justice of the Peace,

Floyd County Kentucky. who certifies that Hall was a creditable

witness.

(undated).

***************************

The Attorney who made of the papers of Captain Connelly was Henry C.

Harris,of Prestonsburg. He was attorney for the family for a

generation.

In a letter, in the files relating to the pension of Captain Connelly

there is a letter written by Mr. Harris, in which he says:

"The old man is a Dutchman, and when I made out his statement I

could scarcely understand a word he said."

His claim was allowed and he was placed on the pension roll of

the Soldiers of the Revolution at one hundred and fifty dollars per

annum,beginning the 4th of March 1831.

After his death, his widow, Temperance Connelly, was granted a

pension,and in consideration of the inadequate allowance to Captain

Connelly, she was paid six hundred dollars per annum. In making this

allowance to the widow of Captain Connelly a copy of his declaration

for pension was sent to the Comptrollers Office of North Carolina for

verification. Concerning his service, the Comptroller wrote the

Commissioner of Pensions the following letter.

CAPTAIN CONNELLY WAS ALSO GRANTED 160 ACRES OF BOUNTY-LAND. I DON'T

KNOW WHERE THIS LAND WAS LOCATED - THEY COULD BE SOLD AT ONE TIME

AND THE

MONEY KEPT BY THE ONE WHO SOLD IT. NOT EVERYONE WANTED TO GO TO

OHIO.

RALEIGH NORTH CAROLINA

COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE

NOVEMBER 10, 1851

Sir:

I have attentively examined the records of this office

respecting the Revolutionary Services of Captain Henry Connelly, and

regret to say, unsuccessfully. A portion of the records are

undoubtedly lost. The Capital was burned about twenty years ago

and many papers of this office were destroyed.

In addition to this, I find a remark in the Journal of the

Commissioners on behalf of this State to state the account of North

Carolina against the United States, that Colonel (afterwards General)

W. R. Davie

neglected to make a return of the Cavalry forces of this State under

his command, and expressing strongly the difficulty which they

experienced in making out the accounts of the dragoons.

The abstract of the declaration which you sent me contains the

Best history of the Revolutionary Struggle from 1777 to 1781, in the

Middle Counties of North Carolina which I have ever seen.

There are not five men in the State who could have written so

concise and correct a history. I could not have done it and I have

studied the subject for ten years with unusual opportunities

for information.

The names of officers, places and dates are all correct. Where did

he get them from? For you must remember that the History of the

Revolutionary War in North Carolina has not been written

(except Colonel Wheeler's history, now in press).

Is it not the presumption then, powerfully strong that

these statements relative to his service are also correct.

I hope at some future time to write a historical memoir of the

period embraced in the declaration, and will keep your letter to

refer to.

Very Respectively

Your

Obedient Servant

Wm. J.

Clarke.,

Comptr

end

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