James Ferguson - Revolutionary War Soldier

In recognition of the Fourth of July  (Independence Day) this week, our assignment is to write about an ancestor who was involved in the Revolutionary War.  I have several ancestors who participated in that war, but I decided to go with this story about my 5th great grandfather, James Ferguson.  From his Revolutionary Pension Application in 1833, we have his life story, in his own words.  Here are copies of some of the original documents.

In summary, James was 81 years old when he was interviewed in Circuit Court in Lawrence County, Arkansas Territory on May 21, 1833, and answered questions about his life. (The pension act of 1832 allowed pensions again based on service and made widows of veterans also eligible to receive pension benefits (from Familysearch.org/Wiki).  I am amazed at the details he remembered when asked about his early life and military career.  He states, "I was born in Orange County, in the state of Virginia on 30th of May, 1752." He also states that he has no written record of his birth, but, "there is a family record among my relatives in Virginia."

Grandpa Ferguson actually served in the Revolutionary military three different times, according to his testimony.

1. "In the latter part of the year 1778 or early part of the year 1779, in Orange County state of Virginia, he enlisted under Captain James Burton in the Regiment of Virginia State Guards, of which a Mr. Roberts was Major,  and Francis Taylor was Colonel. That he was immediately mustered in service and immediately on the duty of guarding General Burgoine and other prisoners whom he escorted from Albemarle through Culpepper County to the town of Winchester on the Shenandoah River, and remained and was engaged with his regiment in actual service for the term of two years in guarding the prisoners which were taken by the United States troops... That his discharge was signed by Col Francis Taylor which he afterwards lost by leaving the same in the pocket of his clothes and which were in washing and which afterwards fell into the hands of her husband from whom this deponent never recovered it."
2. "And further says that immediately after being so discharged he volunteered under one Captain Robinson in the light infantry of Virginia and was commanded by Col Campbell - that after the death of Col Campbell he was commanded by General Wayne who took the command of the troops and this deponent with the troops marched in pursuit of the British forces commanded by Lord Cornwallis in Virginia -  That this deponent marched from Albermarle to Richmond from there to Williamsburgh thence to Little York and that he was present and engaged in the taking of taking of Lord Cornwallis and assisted in and was one of the troop engaged in guarding the British to [unreadable] town where he was again discharged - he received a written discharge but don't recollect who signed it nor what became of it, That during the whole of said two terms he served as a private, and one month as a sergeant, at the Siege of Little York... That the last term of service herein mentioned he was three months in service - "
3. "that he also served one month as a substitute a Mr Carr" - 

He also states "That while in service he was engaged in the Battles of Hot Water in Virginia about 30 miles from James Town - also at James Town on the seventh of June AD 1781 and at the Battle of Little York[*] at the taking of Lord Cornwallis.  That he was acquainted with Col Francis Taylor, Major Roberts from Culpepper - Captain James Burton and Captain Parlin Burlin(?), that he cannot prove services by the evidence of any person in this county and that he has no documentary evidence."

He was then interrogated with questions that basically reiterated the above testimony.  In addition, he is asked where he was living at the time he was called into service and where he has lived since the Revolutionary War...  He states, "I lived in Orange County in Virginia until I entered the service as above mentioned - immediately or within a short period, after peace was restored I removed to North Carolina where I lived five years, from thence to South Carolina where I lived 18 years, from thence to Tennessee where I lived 28 years thence to Arkansas where I have lived one year..."  When asked again which Regular Officers he recollected, he mentions "I recollect General Washington, Col Francis Taylor, Major Roberts, Captain James Burton, Captain Garlin Burlin, General Wayne, General LaFayette, Col Richardson..."

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It is amazing to me that he mentions General George Washington:

 http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/washington/index.html

General LaFayette:

 http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/lafayette.html

General Wayne:

http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/wayne.html

*  *  *  *

James Ferguson died in Lawrence County, Arkansas Territory, about September 19th, 1834, the date his wife and friend were made Administrators/Adminstratrix of his estate.

We are very blessed to have such a complete history of this amazing man who served his country, defied his King, and assisted in the formation of our great nation.

*  *  *  *

*The "Siege of Little York" was also known as the "Siege of Yorktown".  For more information about this battle that virtually ended the Revolutionary War, check this out, https://www.britannica.com/event/Siege-of-Yorktown.  In 2004, my family visited the battlefield at Yorktown and it was so amazing to think that my 5th great grandfather, James Ferguson was actually present at the surrender of the British troops under General Cornwallis.  Wow!!

'Til next time!
#52Ancestors