Pension Application of Drura PILKINGTON
Contributed 25 Nov 2002
by William O. Hatchell,
Sons of the American Revolution member,
National No. 146783 and State No. 866

Transcribed by:
Lois M. Silva, San Luis Obispo, CA
William O. Hatchell, Placitas, NM
(both descendants of Drura Pilkington through his daughter Huldah Pilkington who m. John Hatchell)

State of South Carolina

Marion District

Drura Pilkington personally appeared before me, in open court and upon being duly sworn says that he was born in Amelia County State of Virginia on the 3rd day of April 1762

-- That the first service he was called to perform was in the Militia Service when he was about 14 years of age

-- That he marched with a detachment of Militia from Amelia County to Valley Forge under the command of Lieut. Sam'l Cobb and upon his arrival then he was placed under the command of Capt. Wm. Taylor who he believes was of the regular Army -- Gen. Woodford commanded the Brigade and all the army was under the Command of Gen. Washington from thence the Army marched to Monmouth and on the march he was taken sick and he remained in the hospital not far distant from Valley Forge for about seven weeks and until after the battle at Monmouth

-- That he joined the Army near the White Plains and from thence the Army marched either to Philadelphia or the North river

-- That he served in this service for the term of eighteen months and then enlisted under the afores'd Capt. William [William lined through] Taylor and of the 2nd Regiment for three years

-- That the Regiment was marched to West Point and stationed on the green near the forts

-- That his regiment then marched with others / marched under the command of Gen. Wayne to Stony Point and when the fort was stormed and taken -- this was the first Battle in Which he was engaged. After the fort was taken the Army returned to West Point

-- That afterwards / as he was informed / an express was sent from Gen. Lincoln to Gen Washington for aid

-- That three Regiments were ordered on to Charleston So. Ca. and when the Brigade arrived at Fredericksburgh Va. Capt. Taylor resigned his commission and his Company was then commanded by Capt. Jno.Stokes

-- That Capt. John Stokes went home from Richmond Va. and did rejoin the Regiment -- he thinks the Regiments reached the city of Charleston So. Ca. early in May and was commanded by Gen.Lincoln and was soon afterwards taken by the British and soon afterwards he ran away and made his escape from the British and returned to Chesterfield County Va. where his Mother then resided

-- That after [Lt ?] Cornwallis evacuated Charleston and had arrived in Virginia he was ordered out with the Militia and he went under the command of Capt. George Markham and joined the army at York under the Command of Gen. Washington and was present at the capture of Cornwallis and was soon afterwards disbanded -- and which was the last service he performed

-- That he served in the Militia service at the commencement eighteen months and in the regular service (enlisted/ for three years. That he is unable from his memory to state the dates of the several occurrences above set forth and he does not know that any of his old companions in arms are now alive and who could testify as to his services. He further states that he never had any regular discharge

-- that he resided in Virginia until the Spring of the year 1789 when he removed to the District of Marion So. Ca. where he has since resided

-- That he makes the above Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed 7 June 1832. And he hereby 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 any agency in any state.

Sworn to before me this 11 Oct 1832, Dura Pilkington [his signature]
B. J. Earle presiding judge of the court of common pleas & _______ in open court at Marion CH in the state & district aforesaid the day & year above stated.

We, John Gibson & Samuel Bigham (the said John Gibson lately removed to Darlington District/ residing in the said district and state do certify that we are well acquainted with Drura Pilkington who hath signed the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be of the age represented by him -- That we have been acquainted with him for about forty years -- That he has supported the character of an honest upright citizen and that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution & we have never doubted the correctness of that opinion.

And the said court do hereby declare this opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after ___lling the interrogating prescribed by the war department,

that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it ______ to them that John Gibson & Samuel Bigham who have subscribed the preceding certificate are residents in Marion District and the statement is entitled to credit.

B. J. Earle
Presiding Judge
in open court

I, Edward B. Wheeler clerk of the court of common pleas in and for the District and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Drura Pilkington for a pension

In witness whereof I have herein to set my hand seal of office at Marion Courthouse the 12th day of October Anno Domini 1832

Edwd B. Wheeler
C. C. ____

Graphics by Victoria

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