Revolutionary War soldier references in When the Past Refused to Die: A history of Caswell County, North Carolina, 1777-1977, William S. Powell (1977), 70-82:
Men of Caswell had belonged to the Militia of Orange County prior to 1777 and many of them were already in active training when the new county was established. To separate these men from those who resided in the now compressed region of Orange County would be a time-consuming task, but in compiling a full roster of Caswell men who saw duty in the American Revolution this might be possible. Enough information exists on men identifiable by residence, however, to understand the role played by typical Revolutionary soldiers from Caswell County. Some time after the war, perhaps in connection with the settlement of land claims of veterans, a list was drawn up of officers and soldiers then residing in Caswell County. Included were:
David Barker, William Berry, Robert Blackwell, Robert Browning, Spill Coleman, Nathaniel Comer, Lewis Corbitt, William Culbertson, John Davis, Major Charles Dixon, Capt. Wynn Dixon, Major Thomas Donoho, Capt. John Graves, Daniel Gwyn, Nathaniel Hart, Berry Hunt, John Ingram, David Johnson, Doct. Lancelot Johnson, Capt. Samuel Johnson, Joshua Kerney, John Kimbrough, James Lea, Capt. Gabriel Lee, Rev. Richard Martin, Robert Martin, John McMullin, Capt. David Mitchell, William Mitchell, William Parker, Col. Robert Parkes, Holoway Pass, John Price, Isaac Rainey, Major John Reed, Capt. William Richmond, Archibald Samuel, George Samuel, Jeremiah Samuel, Col. James Saunders, Major Richard Saunders, William Sawyers, Nathaniel Slade, Thomas Slade, William Slade, Francis Smith, Peter Smith, Jonathan Starkey, Thomas Stephens, William Stephens, John Taylor, James Tuner, John Ware, William Ware, Thomas Wiley, Col. Henry Williams, Col. John Williams, Henry Willis, Jacob Wright
From a list of 12-months recruits from Caswell County to whom clothing was issued on May 24, 1782, further names may be added to the list of Militiamen:
Jesse Ashlock, Archibald Carmichal, Duncan Carmichal, Francis Caton, William Chrisall, John Conaway, Hezekiah Duest, Gabriel Ferral, John Flynn, George Fuller, William Going, Simon Goslin, Thomas Graham, Anthony Hainey, John Hainey, William Jones, William McClammy, Andrew Mcknight, Patrick Mason, William Mooney, Levi Newton, Leonard Parker, James Persons, Peter Provot, Jeptha Rice, James Riddell, Thomas Robinson, Andrew Samuel, Josiah Shoemaker, Thomas Smith, Richard Smithey, Jacob Stillwell, George Summers, William Tanksly, William Thaxton, Thomas Tiffen
From assorted sources there are further references to some of these men as well as to others. Before the March, 1782, county court applications were presented from William Kersey and John Swaynie or Sweaney, both described as militia soldiers who had been wounded in the service of their country and thereby rendered unable to work. On their behalf the court recommended that the General Assembly allow each the sum of €10 per year. In November, 1782, it was demonstrated that Thomas Smith, perhaps the recruit to whom clothing was issued the previous May, had lost a leg and an eye, and the court recommended that he receive support from the General Assembly. In December, 1783, Thomas Tiffin proved his "right to a Military warrant for land." In July, 1785, the court recommended that David Johnston, another militia soldier, be given state aid in view of his loss of an arm "in the service of his Country." Early the following year Kersey was allowed €10 while Johnston was awarded €15. Many years later, before the October court in 1832, Captain John McMullen, Benjamin Long and William Park appeared and proved their eligibility for the benefits of the provisions of an Act of Congress passed the previous June. Another old soldier, who lived to the age of 85 in 1847 indicated in his pension application that he had fought at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in March, 1781; he was John Currie Sr., who had moved to Caswell County at the end of the war. Isaac Griffin, in a pension application in 1833, described service with Caswell militia at the Battle at Lindley's Mill and elsewhere.
Others mentioned: Joshua Adcock; Starling Gunn; Lieutenant Colonel Henry Dixon; Absolom Tatum; Jeremiah Williams; David Mitchell; Hezekiah Rice; Samuel Beesly; and John Rodes.
For more on Starling Gunn see:
Starling Gunn Biography
For more on Lieutenant Colonel Henry Dixon see:
Lieutenant Colonel Henry Dixon Biography
For more on Captain John Herndon Graves see:
Captain John Herndon Graves Biography
Note that the Caswell County Historical Association ("CCHA") retains all rights in the above text and in the book from which it was transcribed. This material may not be republished in any manner without the written consent of the CCHA.
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