Rev. War Pension Application of James Norton
State of Kentucky
Lawrence County, 19 May 1834
{James Norton ap.doc}

On this 19th day of May {1834}, personally appeared before the county court of Lawrence County, James Norton, a resident of Kentucky in the county of Lawrence and state of Kentucky, aged seventy four years, who having been 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 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States and served under the following named officers to wit:

1st Tour

Under Col. George Thompson, Capt. William Smith, Leuftenant Ben Smith in Rockingham County, Virginia on the 17th day of April 1779 as he now recollects was the _____ _____ it was in that year for six months in the state troops of Virginia _____ was _____ also the militia. The troops marched from this place Rockingham to Albermarle barracks where they arrived after a few days march. They remained here for a cause. He never knew the length of the time, he has no precise recollection of. From this place he was then marched down to Richmond from there to Petersburg. At each of those places there were some military stores which required moving. At Petersburg he remained guarding some _____ culprits and _____ _____ also some military stores & muskets. And for two months or upwards from this place he was marched to Portsmouth and Norfolk where there was a guard house and some military stores. The Torries _____and then _____ _____ attacks on the farms of Whigs which required the interference of the drafted troops. On several of these kind of _____ _____ _____ ______ many and some are killed and many run-away Negroes were taken. The Col. was not with them all the time and from this place in August 1779, he marched back to Albermarle County, state of Virginia and there remained until his term of service of six months up. He was a drafted man and there he received a written discharge for the term before mentioned. He knows of his particular circumstance everything of mention which occurred during the continuation of his services. There was many militia regiments out but he served with no one but his own. He knew several officers both in the militia and regular service, to wit: Col. _____, Col. Taylor, Capt. Smith, Capt. Bailey, _____ _____, and he was killed, Col. _____ Buckingham, Capt. Willian Johns, Capt. Chas. _____ remaining Gen. Mulenburg were regular officers. The former were militia according to the recollections of him at this time. The country through which he marched was the state of Virginia and as given above on the 17th day of September 1779 as he recollects, the 17th. But it was in September he received his discharge from his captain which was handed him by his orderly sargeant.

2nd Tour

He then in the same month volunteered for three months in Albermarle County under Col. Hamilton, Capt. Lamb and marched from the barracks to Winchester barracks and conveyed some prisoners there. There were many prisoners at this place which the Americans had taken in the north states about the time he volunteered. There was talk of the British coming down the bay or the _____ and coming from the north to attack the state which turned out to be no such thing. At Winchester barracks where many of Burgoin's men were, he stand until the middle of November, perhaps it might have been the last, but every body had killed and hauled in these _____. He was marched back to Albermarle where he volunteered where he remained on duty until the three months was up for which he volunteered and then does not recollect whether he received his discharge from his Captain or his Leftenant. He was in no battles in this tour nor was he in any during the first tour of six months. He knew Col. Goin, Capt. Thompson, Capt. Perkins, Gen. _____, Col. Bradford and many _____ with _____ that he _____ _____ and _____ whether they were really commissioned or not. The country through which he marched was the state of Virginia. He was discharged about the last of Dec. 1779.

3rd Tour

He substituted for six months for John Shannon at Albermarle barracks in Albermarle County Virginia under Col. Harrison and Capt. Giles, who he understood lived in Bedford County, Virginia. Shannon furnished him, Norton, with suitable cloths and everything except a gun and when he marched down to Gochland Ct. House, he there drew out a rifle. He substituted March 12th 1780. Giles company was an entire rifle company. The British were then in Virginia in different parts of the state. He was marched to _____, and in May 1780, he was transferred to _____ _____ _____ the recovery against the British _____ during the summer of 1780. There were several persons killed down on the Chesapeake Bay and some persons up on the south branch of Potomac in Hamshire County. The British did not invade Virginia that summer. The Torries down near the mouth of James River killed a man and his family by the name of Jameson and there was considerable sickness in the camp. From this place he was marched to Camel Court house by the way of _____ through Pittsylvania County and at this place he received his discharge for his term of substitution and Giles Company broke up. Some enlisted and many returned to their homes. He was in no battles in this last tour of service or in any difficulty with the Torries had he now remembered of. There were many militia companies out during _____for each day news came of the intentions of the British army from Philadelphia or the Jerseys _____ coming to attack the state. The legislature came and set up the country that year for the fear of Phillips. There were many militia officers out that year & some of them were alone. The troops where I served, there was Col. Buford from before, Col. Harris, Col. Miller, Col. Jones, Col. Silas Wadkins, Capt. Wilson, Capt. Breckenridge, Capt. Woodson, Capt. Cabel, Capt. Muston , Capt. _____, Col. Boyers, Col. Leftnick, Leut. Jabiz ______ , Capt. Joel Leftnick, Capt. Jesse Davis. Some of these were regular & some militia officers. This discharge he sent to Shannon by one of his neighbors as it properly was his to shew _____ him for another call.

4th Tour

He then after his 3rd tour, went to Rockingham and remained there until he commenced his 4th. There was a call in the spring of 1781. Or in the militia to go against _____ down to _____, ______ bound to go under the law and therefore did stand as drafted in June the day thereof the other came which is the 4th tour. And he was drafted for six months at _____ in Rockingham County under Col. Harrison who resided either in Rockingham or Augusta under Capt. Leonard Thompson _____ so was called. It was about the last of the month before the troops got ready and a particular day he _____ or _____. But in July or August, he was marched down within a few miles from Richmond and connected with Maj. Bunting and General Layfette, the commander of the troops together with _____ and this _____ army from the _____ where the Americans had just left. The army that _____ militia and then down through _____ _____ county, the debt _____ in which he owes _____ _____ his life. Gen. Chois, a frenchman, took the command of the _____ army this just before the surrender. Gen. Washington's army from Delaware came _____. And he states the siege commenced and he remained in the army during the whole siege. The only _____ _____ in particular he now remembers of was that during the siege of York and Glocester was one morning about four October, the British broke out and overtook a little battery where the French troops were posted. And _____ the _____ the battery _____ _____ repulsed at length with some loss on both sides but the American side suffered most. This was after as he now remembers Vandenberg, the fight of Pigeon Hill which also took place during the siege. He states that he was not stationed on the York side where the most of the Virginia troops were until the day preceeding the surrender. He states that he was on the north of York River on the night the British _____ _____ or escaped but was punished by the _____ of the water. He was _____ _____ upon _____ where the British gave up having crossed over to the other side. He states that he has been _____ for some time to get his case _____ but has had no opportunity of doing, being very poor and few being willing to _____ _____ _____ for him he marched alone in Virginia. This last service he was commanded mostly by _____ _____ whose names he has mostly forgotten. Gen. Chois commanded one division during the siege that he was in. He knows a witness by whom he can establish his service satisfactorily to the War Department. The forgoing comprises the service he rendered during the Revolution, one thing is that from the time he entered the service he was not out on furlough one day after the British gave up. The Americans being next to the North, where he came from and most of the Virginia militia troops went home, he went with the _____ and some prisoners to Winchester, he remained till the last of December 1781 and was discharged & received his discharge from Patrick Shannon on who was in the barracks. From the barracks he went home and from there he came to this state where he has resided ever since in the mountains. He served in all the Indian Wars for which he is informed he is not entitled to any thing for service rendered in those wars. And therefore, he does not thenceforth. He verily relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency in any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

His James X Norton Mark

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion: That above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.

State of Kentucky
Lawrence County Court clerk's office set J. James M. Rice, clerk of the court for the county aforesaid hereby certify that the foregoing certifies the original proceedings in the said court in the matter of the application of James Norton for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set the seal of my office thereto and subscribed my name the 20th day of May 1834.

Jas. M. Rice
Clerk's Ofc
The Lawrence County Court

The deposition of George Hardwicke taken before me, a Justice of the Peace for Lawrence County, who states that he knew James Norton for a great while, that they were both from Virginia, that he knows personally all of his services, at least he has seen him in the service during the Revolution for many times that he and said Norton served in the same company during the Revolution that he knew him at the siege of York where this applicant was also. Said Norton served between twenty & 21 months in the service, the most of them he states he was an eye witness. He and said Norton live in the same county.

G. Hardwick

Lawrence Court I certify that the aforesaid George Hardwick made oath to the foregoing statement, and I certify that said Hardwick is a credible witness. 19th May 1834

John Stafford

James Norton of the said county aged eighty nine years, being sworn does on his oath say that he is the identical James Norton who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Nathan Lamb in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Guy Hamilton (as well as I can recollect) in the service of the United States in the War of the Revolution in the Virginia Militia at the siege of Cornwallis at Yorktown and for which service above (as I believe according to my best recollection) my name was place on the pension roll of the United States at the Kentucky Agency on the sixth day of June AD eighteen hundred and thirty four (1834) as will appear at the rate of forty dollars per annum by his original Certificate of Pension hereto annexed and of which the following on next page is a true copy.
War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832, James Norton of the state of Kentucky who was a private in the War of the Revolution is entitled to receive forty dollars and _____ cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831 and payable semiannually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office
Of the United States, this
Sixth day of June one thousand
Eight hundred and thirty four.

(signed) Lew Cass
Secretary of War
Examined and countersigned
J.D. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions

In addition to the service at the siege of Cornwallis at Yorktown as mentioned above, I performed other services in the War of the Revolution in the service of the United States (Viz) My first tour was for three months in the year AD 1779 (seventeen hundred and seventy nine). I was drafted for this tour in Fluvania County, Virginia in the summer season. My Captain's name was _____ Dupree or Dupuy, our Colonel's name was Guy Hamilton. As well as I remember our Major's name was Giles or Jiles. We were in a battle in North Carolina with the British at a place called "Hot Water". We were in the open field when the battle began and after some firing, the Cavalry of the enemy under Colonel Tarlton charged on us and we retreated to the woods under the protection of our Riflemen under Colonel Morgan.

My next tour was in the fall of the same year. My Captain's name was Nathan Lamb and my Colonel was the above named Guy Hamilton. This expedition was against the Torries and was a short tour but how long I do not now remember. I was drafted to it in Rockingham County, Virginia. We went to the south branch of the Potomac to a place called "Cow Pasture River" and attacked and took prisoners of about 100 of them. They were all paroled by our Colonel Guy Hamilton. This was in Rockingham County but it is now (that place) I believe, called Bath County.

My third tour was the next spring against the Torries on the south branch of the Potomac. My only officer in this tour as I remember was the above named Guy Hamilton. Our company was a small one and our tour a short one but I do not remember how long. We had no engagement or even skirmish in this tour - the Torries surrendered. Their leader as well as I remember was named Hoover. This was on what was then called the "Bull Pasture" fork of the Potomac, then called Rockingham County, Virginia.

Upon comparing dates and reflection, I believe that my service began in 1780 (seventeen hundred and eighty) or perhaps one year earlier. I place my first tour in the summer because I remember that the whole of it was in warm weather. I place my second tour in the fall because I remember that we fed our horses on the corn of the Torries which was then just ripe and hard. I place my third tour in the spring, because my present recollection is that it was just a few months before I entered on my fourth and last tour which terminated in the fall after the siege of Cornwallis at Yorktown - and for which last tour I only claimed when I applied for the pension which I am now receiving as mentioned before herein to my best recollection.

Our Colonel, the above named Guy Hamilton was authorized to call out men whenever necessary. Our tour as above stated in actual scouting was short but being what were called "Minute Men" as we had to be always in readiness so that we could go at less than one hours notice. I was in the service and at all times ready for service for a period of time fully six months or longer exclusive of my first tour and last tour.

For the particulars of my last tour, I refer to the proof upon which my pension which I am now receiving, was granted. I make this declaration for the purpose of obtaining an increase of my pension believing I am entitled to receive the same. Given under my hand and seal in Clarke County, Kentucky on this 24th day of September 1852.

His
James X Norton
Mark
Witness
George W. Burk
G.C. Farney

Sworn to and subscribed before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county and I do certify that he is know to me as a pensioner of the United States for Revolutionary service. I believe him to be of the age which he represents himself to be and from my acquaintance with him for about one year and his well established reputation as a man of truth and veracity, I am fully satisfied that he did really and truly perform the service which he sets forth in his above declaration. The word 'Cavalry' on third page entered and 'Riflemen' interlined before signing, the work 'many' erased on page 6 and 'about one' interlined before signing this 24th day of September 1852.

(Signed)
{Illegible}

Know all men by these presents that I, James Norton of Clarke County, Kentucky, a soldier of the United States in the War of the Revolution do hereby constitute and appoint George H. Mousarrat of Louisville, Kentucky my true and lawful attorney for me in my name to prosecute against the Government of the United States my claim to an increase of pension by virtue of the facts set forth in my foregoing declaration.

Said attorney is moreover authorized to do any and all necessary acts and things to carry out the foregoing purposes, and to receive the certificate of pension or other character of drafts or evidence of the amounts due me and to appoint one or more sub-attorneys, and to confer on him or them all the powers herein conferred on George H. Mousarrat: Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney may do by virtue of these presents. Witness my hand and seal in Clarke County, Kentucky on this 24th day of Sept 1852.

His
James X Norton
Mark
Witness
George W. Burk
G.C. Farney

State of Kentucky
County of Clarke
Be it known that on this 24th day of September in the year AD 1852 before the subscriber, a justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid personally appeared James Norton, the subscriber to the foregoing Power of Attorney and acknowledged the affixing, sealing and delivering the same to be his own voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein set forth. In testimony of which I do hereto subscribe my name.

(signed)
Wm. B. Teeas, J.P.

On this eight day of June A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, Bryan Fannin, a Justice of the Peace, wither and for the county and state aforesaid, James Norton aged ninety four years, a resident of Carter County in the state of Kentucky who being duly sworn according to law declares:

That he is the identical James Norton who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Dupees or Dupf in the regiment of Virginia militia commanded by Colonel Guy Hamilton in the Revolutionary War of 1779 or one year later.

That he was drafted on or about the A.D. one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight or 9 for the term of three months and continued in actual service three months.

He was drafted in Fluvania County Virginia and was marched to North Carolina and was in a battle at a place called "Hott Water" and he served his three months out.

He served afterwards two short tours against the Tories on the South Branch of the Potomac. The tours of actual service was short but I was a "Minute Man" for more than six months in the fall and winter of 1780 and 81, ready to go at a minutes notice.

I served another double tour which included the siege of Cornwallis at Yorktown under Captain Nathan Lamb in the Virginia militia under Colonel Hamilton or Crockett, I forget which.

In the spring of 1786, I went from Lincoln County, Kentucky as a volunteer against the Cherokee Indians in the state of Tennessee on Tennessee River under Captain Nathan Moses under Colonels Whitly and Logan.

We had a skirmish with the Indians on a creek, a tributary of Tennessee River. In 1788 or 1789,

I was drafted in Fayette County for a short tour to go to the mouth of Limestone to guard the place during a treaty with the Shawanese (sic) Indians for the exchange of prisoners. My Captain was Thomas West under Colonel Daniel Boon. I was in service over fourteen days in the campaign.

In the year of 1788 or 89 I volunteered under Captain Simon Kenton as a private to go to the mouth of "Big Paint" on Sciotia River against the Shawanese Indians. We came up with them at the mouth of Paint. We surrounded them in the night, fired on them in the morning, got four scalps and five prisoners. I was in service fourteen days.

I served several tours as a garrison guard. First fifteen days at General Scott's farm just above where Frankfort now stands. This was in 1786 or 1787. Second, immediately afterwards the next fifteen days at same place as a substitute for Minor Young. Third fifteen days at Ficklin's Fort near where Georgetown now stands in the years of 1786 or 1787. Fourth fifteen days at Thomas Hermous farm near Hermous Fort in what is now called Scott County, Kentucky in the year of 1788. Fifth, I was in several routs and Indian hunts being from the years 1786 to 1789 a Minute Man and frequently had to start out at a few minutes notice.

I was in a battle with the Indians near the upper Blue Licks on what was called Battle Run in the year of 1786 or 1787. We were under Simon Kenton and Casidy. We had a number of our men killed and we had to retreat and many of our men overtaken and killed.

In the year of A.D. one thousand seven hundred and ninety one, I was drafted for three months as a private in the Kentucky militia commanded by Captain McMurtry commanded by General St. Clair in the expedition against the Miami Indians in the Ohio Territory and was in the battle known as St. Clair's Defeat and continued in actual service fourteen days and was honorably discharged at _____ on or about the _____ A.D. one thousand seven hundred and ninety one and was honorably discharged in all the above named wars, but is old and cannot now recollect the dates of my discharges and having mislaid them so that I cannot get hold of them.

He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty, the land to which he may be entitled under the several acts of Congress and under the act approved March 3rd 1835. He also declares that he has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress nor made other application therefore.

His
James X Norton
Mark

We, William Hall and John Hall, residents of Carter County in the state of Kentucky upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by James Norton in our presence and that we believe from appearance and statements of the applicant that he is the identical person he represents himself to be.

(Signed)
William Hall
John Hall

The foregoing declaration and affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons. That the claimant is the person he represents himself to be and that I have no interest in this claim.
(Signed)
Bryan Fannin J.P.C.C.

State of Kentucky
Carter County Court
I, Elias P. Davis, clerk of the county court in and for the county and state aforesaid do certify that the signature of Bryan Fannin whose name appears to the foregoing certificate is a genuine signature and at the time of signing he was an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly elected and commissioned by the Govenor and qualified as such and his signature is entitled to full faith and credit as such.
Given under my hand and seal of my office done at the court house in Grayson, this 23rd day of July 1855 and in the 64th year of the Commonwealth.

(Signed)
E. P. Davis,
Clerk of the Carter County Court

Grayson, Carter County, Kentucky
July 23rd 1855
Dear Sir:
I send you the declaration of James Norton for bounty land which I hope you will find alright and send return as soon as possible. He is a very old man and cannot recollect when he was drafted or volunteered or when he was discharged and has lost all of his discharges and cannot find them. The declaration was filled up to the best of his recollection, but if there is anything wrong about it, send it back and I will have it attended to if I can immediately. I hope it will meet your earnest attention, direct it to me, Grayson Carter County, Kentucky.
Yours,
John T. Shepherd, Atty.

{The following is a handwritten, unsigned memo-style document:}
Request is made to James Norton (S 38266) may have rendered at the Battle of Blue Licks. In the pension papers, the above James Norton stated under oath on May 20, 1834 that he moved from his home in Virginia to the mountains of Kentucky and that he was in "all the Indian Wars" but in that affidavit he did not designate the wars or name any battle in which he was engaged. He stated under oath June 8, 1855 that he was "in a battle with the Indians near the Upper Blue Licks on what was called Battle Run." He stated "We had a number of our men killed and we had to retreat and many of our men overtaken and killed."