Jackson County Alabama Genealogy and History Revolutionary Soldiers Who Lived in Jackson County The Act of March 18, 1818, thirty-five years after the close of the Revolutionary War, was the first general act passed granting a pension for service, only. Those who could draw had to be in indigent circumstances and in need of assistance. There were some changes in the pension laws up until 1853, or seventy years after the war. The following list of soldiers is taken from Report of the Alabama History Commission, Vol. I. 1. Bayles, Hezekiah — Had lived in Madison County; was County Judge of Decatur County, resided at Woodville: private Virginia Militia; enrolled on January 24, 1833, under Act of Congress of June 7, 1832.—Revolutionary Pension Roll, in Vol. XIV, Sen. Doc. 514, 23rd Cong., 1st sess., 1833-34. (See Bulletin No. 5, compiled by Thomas M. Owen, Director, 1911.) 2. Bodly, John—Aged 72, and a resident of Jackson county; private South Carolina State Troops and Militia; enrolled on January 22, 1834. 3. Bryant, John—Aged 85, resided in Jackson County, June 1, 1840—Census of Pensioners, 1841, p. 148. 4. Bryant, Elizabeth—Aged 71, resided in Jackson County, June 1, 1840, with H. M. Bryant. 5. Cargill, Thomas—Age not given; a resident of Jackson County; private in Cavalry, North Carolina Militia, enrolled on January 6, 1834. He resided in 1840 in the county. 6. Clarke, Lewis—Aged 71, and a resident of Jackson County; private, Virginia Militia, enrolled on November 4, 1833. 7. Duncan, John—Aged 83; resided in Jackson County, June 1, 1840, with Robert Duncan. 8. Fletcher, William—Aged 76, and a resident of Jackson County; Captain, North Carolina Militia, enrolled January 2, 1834. 9. Hamman, Phil—On Saturday, July 3,1830, the Fifty-fifth Anniversary of American Independence was celebrated at Bellefonte, Jackson County, Alabama, at which, among other participants were several Revolutionary patriots. After the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Henry F. Scruggs and the delivery of an oration by Hon. Samuel B. Moore (He became Governor the next year), the company sat down to a plentiful dinner. After this, many patriotic toasts were drunk. Only one, and that because of the historic fact it evoked, is here reproduced: By L. James, Esq. "Capt. Phil Hamman: The Savior of Greenbrier—tho' his history is but tittle known, his intrepidity and patriotism are not less worthy of our commendation. After drinking of this toast, the old soldier rose and said: "He thanked the gentleman for introducing his name on an occasion where he had already been too much honored....." For nine years he had been in the wars of his country—during a greater part of which he had been engaged in the most dangerous parts of Indian service. He had suffered much. On one occasion he had been stripped by savage rapacity of every vestige of property he possessed, even the clothing of himself and family. One of his children fell victim to their cruelty. But not to dwell on the dangers he had endured, he would merely speak of the occasion so kindly alluded to in the toast. When stationed at Fort Randolph, at the mouth of the Big Kanawaha, nine hundred Indians set off in a body to make an unexpected attack on the inhabitants of Greenbrier, Virginia. Two men were dispatched to apprize the people in that quarter of their approaching danger. In three days they returned, wounded and in despair. Others were sought for who would carry the express; none were found willing to engage in so dangerous and hopeless an undertaking. When he and one John Pryor (who was afterwards killed by the Indians) painted and dressed in Indian garb, set off, and in forty-eight hours traveled one hundred and sixty miles through the wilderness. They overtook the Indians within twelve miles of the white settlements, passed through their camps and gave timely warning to the people of their impending danger. Such preparations were made for security and defense as the occasion permitted. About day-light a violent attack was made on Fort Donley. The conflict was desperate, the door of the Fort was broken open. He stood in it and resisted the enemy, until it could be shut and fastened. The foe were repelled with great loss, and the country saved from savage barbarity. He said that, although he was old and poor, and had not received the compensation promised him by his country, yet he thanked God he was in peace and safety and could live without the aid of public or private charity. He then offered the following sentiment: "Our Rulers — May they be just men, fearing God, and hating covetousness."—Southern Advocate, Huntsville, July 10, 1830. 10. Jackson, John—Aged 82, and a resident of Jackson County; private, South Carolina Continental Lines, enrolled on November 19, 1819, under Act of Congress of March 18, 1818, transferred from Lincoln County, Tennessee, from March 4, 1816. 11. Jenkins, William—Aged 73, and a resident of Jackson County; Lieutenant and Captain, South Carolina State Troops. 12. Jones, John—Age not given, a resident of Jackson County; private Alabama Militia, enrolled under Acts Military established on May 21, 1821. 13. Kirby, Andrew J.—Resident in Jackson County, June 1,1840, with John McReynolds. 14. McCormack, Jas. R.—Aged 96, resided in Jackson County, June 1, 1840. 15. McCravy, John—Aged 87, resided in Jackson County, June 1, 1840, with Thomas Coleman. 16. McCutchen, John—Aged 78, and a resident of Jackson County; private North Carolina Militia. See the Southern Advocate, Huntsville, Jan. 27, 1835, for a history of his service. 17. McDearmon, Thomas—Aged 82, resident of Jackson County; private South Carolina Militia. 18. McInally, Jonah—Aged 82, resided in Jackson County, June 1, 1840. 19. Mathews, Benjamin—Private Virginia Continental Line and Militia. He resided in Jackson County, June 1,1840, Aged 78. 20. Morris, John—Aged 76, and a resident of Jackson County; private South Carolina State Troops. 21. Rowan, Samuel—Aged 70; private South Carolina Continental Line. 22. Russell, Thomas—Aged 74; private of Cavalry, North Carolina Continental Line, enrolled on April 22,1834, under Act of Congress of June 7,1832. He resided in the county and was first County Judge. 23. Samples, Jesse—Aged 79, resided in Jackson County, June 1,1840. 24. Smith, James—Aged 81, resided in Jackson County, June 1, 1840, with James P. Smith. 25. Smith, Rebecca—June 1, 1840. Census of Pensioners 18411 p. 148. 26. Townsel, Joshua—Aged 80; June 1,1840. 27. Tribble, Elijah—Aged 80; private in North Carolina Militia. 28. Wood, John—Aged 89; resided in Jackson County, June 1, 1840, with Thomas Campbell.—Census of Pensioners 1841, p. 148. [Source: History of Jackson County, By John Robert Kennamer, 1935 - Transcribed by C. Anthony] HOME ©2009 Genealogy Trails