Revolutionary War Pension Application of Abraham Peacock

State of Tennessee, Perry County

July 12, 1834

On this day personally appeared in open court before the Worshipful County Court now sitting, Abraham Peacock, a resident citizen of the County and State aforesaid, aged seventy-nine 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.

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That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

This declarant entered the service in the State of North Carolina in the year 1778. He volunteered under Captain William Cato and marched from Chatham County, North Carolina, against the Cherokee Indians. They marched through the wilderness to the Valley Towns on Tennessee River where they remained some time and then returned home. He served about three months.

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After remaining at home a short time he again volunteered under Captain William Cato and marched against the Tories in North Carolina. They were attached to Colonel Wade’s regiment. They were engaged in scouting and ranging through the country for Tories and disaffected persons. They were frequently in danger though not often engaged in battle. He served in this tour about three months and returned home.

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Soon afterward he again volunteered under Captain William Cato and marched to Cross Creek [now Fayetteville], North Carolina. From there they marched toward Camden in South Carolina where General Gates’ army had recently been defeated. They were attached to General Davidson’s command and were employed in guarding the country and suppressing the Tories. During this campaign they were engaged in several skirmishes. He remained in service about three months.

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After returning home he again entered the service under Captain William Cato and marched to the Yadkin River and from there into South Carolina. They joined General Greene’s army and were engaged in scouting and protecting the country. He was in the battle at Guilford Courthouse. After the battle they retreated toward Troublesome Creek. He remained in service until after the battle of Eutaw Springs and then returned home. This tour lasted about six months.

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This declarant further states that he served altogether not less than fifteen months as a volunteer in the Revolutionary War.

He was born in the year 1755 in Virginia as he has always understood. He has no record of his age.

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After the Revolution he removed from North Carolina to Tennessee. He first settled in Hickman County and afterward removed to Perry County where he has since resided.

He is acquainted with William Allen and Alexander David Batts, citizens of the said county, who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.

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He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.

(Signed)
Abraham Peacock 

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Supporting Affidavit

We, William Allen and Alexander David Batts, residing in Perry County, Tennessee, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Peacock who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy-nine years of age and 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.

(Signed)
William Allen
Alexander David Batts 

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Court Certification

And the said court do hereby declare their 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 and served as he states. The court further certifies that it appears to them that William Allen and Alexander David Batts who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of Perry County and are credible persons.

(Signed by court officials) 

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Pension Office Summary (1935 correspondence)

A later Pension Office abstract in the file states:

• Abraham Peacock served from Chatham County, North Carolina.

• He served under Capt. William Cato, Col. Wade, and Gen. Davidson.

• He participated in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

• He moved after the war to Hickman County, Tennessee, and later to Perry County, Tennessee.

• He was allowed pension on his application executed July 12, 1834, while living in Perry County.

• The papers contain no data relative to his family. 

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