Transcription of Revolutionary War Pension Application of Philip Rushing

State of Tennessee }
Perry County }

On this 8th day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Worshipful the Justices of the County Court now sitting Philip Rushing a resident of Perry County in the State of Tennessee aged seventy eight 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.

 

This declarant was born in the State of North Carolina and removed with his father to South Carolina before the Revolutionary War commenced and there entered the service in Orangeburgh District South Carolina in the company commanded by Captain Stephen Jackson and was marched to Augusta in the State of Georgia where he remained some time and then returned to South Carolina and was in an engagement with the Tories near Williamson’s Swamp in South Carolina.

 

Afterwards he was marched under Captain Thompson to Thompson’s Creek and was in a skirmish there with the Tories at Thompson’s Creek. Afterwards declarant volunteered under Captain Abram [Dubose?] and was marched to Savannah River where he remained some time. Declarant was in no regular battle at Savannah River. Declarant further states that he entered the service several times and served in all about eighteen months.

He further states that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.

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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 the agency of any State.

[signed]
Philip X Rushing
(his mark)

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And in answer to the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department he answers as follows:

First. Where and in what year were you born?
Answer: I was born in North Carolina in the year 1754.

Second. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Answer: I have no record of my age.

Third. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Answer: I was living in Orangeburgh District South Carolina when called into service. Since the Revolutionary War I have lived in South Carolina and Tennessee and now live in Perry County Tennessee.

Fourth. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute?
Answer: I volunteered every time I entered the service.

Fifth. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served; such Continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer: General Williamson commanded at Orangeburgh. Captain Stephen Jackson and Captain Thompson commanded companies in which I served. I also served under Captain Abram [Dubose?]. I recollect no Continental officers.

Sixth. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer: I never received a written discharge.

He hereby requests that the following named persons who reside in his present neighborhood and who are credible persons be called and sworn to testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.

William Montgomery
Richard Kelly

[signed]
Philip X Rushing
(his mark)

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Affidavits

We William Montgomery and Richard Kelly residents of Perry County Tennessee hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Philip Rushing who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight 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.

[signed]
William Montgomery
Richard Kelly

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

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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 Richard Kelly who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Perry and State aforesaid and that William Montgomery who has also signed the same is a resident in the said County and State and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.

[signed]
Wm. H. Polk, Clerk

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Treasury Department
Second Comptroller’s Office
January 14th 1839

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April 1838 entitled “An act directing the transfer of certain pensioners surviving at the commencement of the present government from the State to the Treasury of the United States,” Philip Rushing, a pensioner on the roll of the Jackson Agency, State of Tennessee, at the rate of 60 dollars per annum, under the act of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at said Department from the 4th of Sept. 1835 to the 4th March 1838.

Respectfully yours,
M. Blair
Comptroller

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War Department
March 25, 1839

Philip Rushing
of the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Stephen Jackson in the regiment of South Carolina militia commanded by General Williamson in the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the Roll of the Tennessee Agency to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Oct. 1832.

Rate $20.00
Arrears to 4th Sept. 1832 $70.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4th March 1833 $30.00

Recorded by D. Brown
Book C-2 Vol. 7 Page 103

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(1930 Pension Office Summary)

July 31, 1930

Mrs. Vera Rushing
934 – 50th Street
Sacramento, California

Dear Madam:

Your are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.21458, that Philip or Phillip Rushing was born in 1754 in Anson County, North Carolina.

While residing in Anson County, North Carolina, he served with the South Carolina troops, as follows:

In the latter part of 1776, three months as sergeant in Captain John Jackson’s Company; in 1777, three months in Captain Stephen Jackson’s Company; in 1778, six months in Captain [A.] Thompson’s, also Smith’s and Abram [Dubose’s?] companies; and in 1781, two months in Captain Thompson’s company. He was at Fish’s and Bush’s, and was in an engagement on Deep River near Williamson.

He also stated that part of the time he served in Colonel David Love’s command.

He was in skirmishes with the Tories at Thompson’s Creek, Lynch’s Creek, Fish’s Creek, Abraham’s Creek and Drowning Creek.

He was allowed pension on his application executed July 31, 1834, at which time he was living at Rushing Creek, Perry County, Tennessee, having moved there about four years before.

No reference to a wife or children.

Very truly yours,
H. W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner

Pages 9–12 (Later Affidavit / Supplemental Statement)

These pages contain a later sworn explanatory affidavit concerning the circumstances of Philip Rushing’s service, stating that:

• he often served in short volunteer tours,

• companies were reorganized frequently,

• officers changed,

• he served under Captains Jackson, Thompson, Smith, and Abram [Dubose],

• he fought or skirmished near Deep River and various creeks,

• records were difficult to reconstruct due to age and infirmity,

• and he had no written discharge.

The affidavit closes with his mark and supporting witness statements affirming his credibility and advanced age.

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Washington City Oct. 6th 1838

Sir,

Enclosed you will find the former claim with the letter enclosing same to me. I do not see the object of sending them if they are not intended to be used during this day. Please to get enough to explain the case. I can collect them and they will be taken care of. I have no blanks to state in your letters nor are there any in Washington to continue them. I can have printed one immediately.

Your Obedient
[signed] C. Williams

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