Notes for Obediah Hammons: Rev Pension of Obediah Hammons Submitted by Gene Newman Declaration
In order to obtain benefit of an act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832
State of Kentucky
Knox County
On the 22nd day of September 1833 personally appeared in the court before Joseph Eve Judge of the 15th Judicial District including the county of Knox, Obadiah Hammons, a resident of Richland Creek in the County of Knox and state of Kentucky age 77 on the 5th December next who first being duly sworn according to law doth of his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832.
That he was drafted in the militia of the United States for a tour of 3 months in Roan (Rowan) County, North Carolina on the 18th of March 1776 ( I am able to fix upon the precise day by aid of the papers here enclosed marked (A) found by Wm Ballinger in searching of my old papers for my discharge) under Richmond Pierson Capt but was transferred to the company of Richard Dowell Capt of the light horse. During this tour, I was chiefly engaged with my campaign in disarming suspected persons and providing order in the state of North Carolina. We were constantly moving and during this tour I was in Salisbury at the mouth of Rocky River, _______and various other places that from lack of memory and old age I can not remember. I was discharged in Rowan County near Salisbury and got a written discharge from my Capt Dowell for this service. I was in no battles or skirmishes on this tour.
I was drafted under Capt Gibson Woolridge’s company. Davidson was our General. I am not able to fix upon the precise dates of this tour but know that the two papers here enclosed marked B & C (also found by Wm Ballinger while searching my old papers for my discharge) were given to me during this 3 month tour. I know we received news of the Battle of Kings Mountain during this tour. I received a written discharge from my Capt Gibson Woolridge at the old trading fort 7 miles from Salisbury. At the close of this last mentioned tour, I volunteered under said Capt Woolridge for 3 months. The object of this tour was to fight the Tories who we understood had assembled in numbers on the shallow ford of the Yadkin River. We marched for that place from Roan County, but before we got there, we received news that the Tories had been whipped. We were then discharged and I went home. We were afterwards recalled to complete the tour by my said Capt Woolridge. We then marched below Salisbury, but from the lack of memory I cannot undertake a classification of this service. I received a written discharge for this service in the county of Roan.
In a very short time after the close of this service tour there were orders that two men out of every company should be balloted for 9 months. I and Charles Hunter were balloted as they call it from our company. Richmond Pierson was our Captain, but shortly afterwards we were transferred to Capt Holston’s company. Our object was to keep down and disarm the Tories in the state of North Carolina, but as I have stated about other tours, from lack of memory I can not tell you the route we took—indeed at the end of the tour I could not of told you all the places I had been at. We were almost constantly traveling to and fro. I followed my Captain and paid but little attention to the names of places we were at. I cannot remember when I reported for this tour, but I know I was conjoined with it when my former General Davidson was killed at Beatty’s Ford on the Catawba. I know also it closed and I was discharged a few days before Cornwallis was taken by Washington. I received a written discharge for this service from Capt Holston. I thought my discharge was with my old papers and I being old was told by Wm Ballinger that my discharges --------------in support of my claim to a pension. I got him to go to my house to hunt them up, but after a diligent search of several hours he found the papers aforementioned and herewith enclosed—but couldn’t find any discharges.
There is no living witness to my service except my brother, Peter, whose affidavit below and whose attendance I have procured by sending for him in the county of Perry, a distance of 60 or 70 miles—and Henry Hunter of Perry county who lives at a greater distance from here than my brother.
I hereby relinquish my claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present, and I declare my name is not on the pension roll or any state or agency. Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
Obadiah Hammons
State of Kentucky Knox County
Personally appeared before justice of the peace for Knox County, Obadiah Hammons, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he can not show proof or give a full history of the actions in conduct of his served tours of duty, but he fells confident that he served 3 tours of 3 months and one tour of 9 months as a private in the manner stated in the foregoing declaration as well as he can remember.
I was born in Prince William County Virginia on the 5th of December 1756. I have a record of my age found by Wm Ballinger and enclosed (marked D). I was living in Rowan County, North Carolina—I moved from there to the Clinch River in Tennessee, then into Knox County, Kentucky where I have lived for the last 30 years. I was twice called into service as a draftsman for 3 months each—once as a volunteer for 3 months, and lastly as a balloted man as it was called for 9 months. I knew George Washington as a boy, but never saw him during the war. I cannot remember the names of any Continental Army or Regiments in which I served—indeed I am not sure I ever served with any. I had four written discharges from service, one from Dowell, two from Woolridge, and one from Holston. They have been burnt I expect as _____ _____, or otherwise lost or mislaid so that I can not find them I am known in my neighborhood to Job Broughton who was as I am informed and believe a revolutionary soldier.
I, Peter Hammons, age 74 years November next, from the County of Perry and State of Kentucky, do hereby certify that I am the brother of the above named applicant, Obadiah Hammons, and have been well acquainted with him since our infancy.
I served two tours with my brother of three months each, one as a draftsman under Gibson Woolridge, Captain and _____ Davidson, General. The other was under Capt Woolridge as a volunteer. While serving as a draftsman, we received news of the victory at Kings Mountain. While serving as a volunteer we marched as my brother stated for the purpose he stated. I saw my brother, Obadiah, in the service under Capt Richard Dowell, but cannot tell the length of this tour. I know that my brother went out for a nine month tour after we served together under Davidson and Woolridge, and that he was gone from home for nine months or there about, but I did not see him in the service after he marched, nor can I say from my own knowledge that he served all the time he was absent from home—though he has always told that he did. I certainly believe that he performed the tour of nine months, and the one of three months under Davidson, and the two I served with him.
Subscribed and sworn to in open court the day and date above written.
Peter Hammons
We, Alexander Stewart and Ambrose Y. Anderson residing in the county of Knox and State of Kentucky hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Obadiah Hammons, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 77 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 with that opinion, and that we are also acquainted with Peter Hammons who has been sworn in the above avadavat. We have know him for many years, and he is dependable and his statements and utterances are believable. Sworn and subscribed the day and date above.
Alexander Stewart Ambrose Y. Anderson
And the said court due do hereby declare their opinion after the consideration of the matter and after putting the interrogations provided by _____act statement that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appraises them Peter Hammons has signed the foregoing avadavat and that Alexander Stewart and Ambrose Y. Anderson have signed the foregoing certification, and they are resident citizens of Knox County and that they are credible persons and their statements are entitled to credit.
Joseph Eve
I, James F. Ballinger, clerk of the Knox County circuit court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Obadiah Hammons for a pension. In testimony……….27th day of Sept 1833.
James F. Ballinger
Military Service: Revolutionary War Soldier Event: Tax List 1810 Knox County, KY Event: Tax List 1803 Claiborne County, TN Event: Pensioners List 12 OCT 1833 Pension 52263 Certificate 22134 $62.50 per annum Census: 1830 Knox County, KY Census: 1820 Knox County, KY Note: looking for info on Peter Hammons,s/o Obadiah and Elizabeth Stewart Hammons.He was born in Prince William Co.,Va then moved to Kentucky.Have counties of Knox and Lauerl listed in some ref.He had 10 kids,don't have spouse name.Kids:William,James, John, Margaret,Obadiah,PeterII, Phoebe, Jeremiah, Mary,Isaiah.Any help would be appreciated.
Obadiah Hammonds was a fellow soldier of my father, Thomas Philpot. One morning in camp during the Rev. War down in North Carolina. Obadiah said to Tom. "Tom, we will all be killed today". Obadiah been a very homely looking man. Tom answered " Oh, I hope not, I should hate to look at you after the flies blow you, for you are so ugly now that we can hardly stand to look at you."
OBADIAH HAMMON KNOX COUNTY PRIVATE INFANTRY AND CAVALRY NORTH CAROLINA LINE $62.50 ANNUAL ALLOWANCE $187.50 AMOUNT RECEIVED OCTOBER 12, 1833 PENSION STARTED AGE 78
While residing in Rowan County, North Carolina, Obadiah Hammond enlisted on March 18, 1776, at the age of 20, a private in Capt. Richmond Pearson's Company of North Carolina. The troops were transferred to Capt. Richard Dowel's Company of "Light Horse" for the length of service (three months). Obadiah re-enlisted in the fall of 1780 in Capt. Gibson Woolbridge's Company. Cornwallis invaded North Carolina in September 1780, and Col. Isaac Shelby's 900 men forced the British to retreat to King's Mountain, South Carolina, on October 7. In Obadiah's affidavit for his pension, he said he was in a scrimmage and one battle with his younger brother, Peter, at King's Mountain in South Carolina. He also knew Washington as a boy, but never saw him during the war. Obadiah enlisted for another three months with Capt. Richmond Pearson's and Capt. Holster's Companies out in the pursuit of Tories. Obadiah was discharged a few days before Cornwallis was taken by Washington in New York. Obadiah had four discharges-two from Capt. Woolbridge, one from Dowel, and one from Capt. Holster. Obadiah also states in his affidavit that he served two terms of three months each with his younger brother, Peter, who later received a land grant in Perry County. Having served a total of nine months, Obadiah left North Carolina and went to Clinch River, Tennessee. He received a large land grant in Knox County-known today as Girdler, Callebs Creek, Hinkle Branch, Horn Branch, and Hammond's Fork on Big Richland Waters.
Obadiah Hammonds was a fellow soldier of my father, Thomas Philpot. One morning in camp during the Rev. War down in North Carolina. Obadiah said to Tom. "Tom, we will all be killed today". Obadiah been a very homely looking man. Tom answered " Oh, I hope not, I should hate to look at you after the flies blow you, for you are so ugly now that we can hardly stand to look at you."
The Revolutionary War Pension File of Peter HAMMONDS included his declaration of 11 Feb 1833 in Perry Co KY that he lived in Rowan Co NC at the time of his first enlistment and that he later enlisted in Shenandoah Co VA. (RW Pension File S30461) The Revolutionary War Pension file of Obadiah HAMMOND (also HAMMONDS & HAMMONS), application 22 Sep 1833, Knox Co KY, included his declaration that he was a son of Obadiah & Betty HAMMONS, that he was born 5 Dec 1756, that he lived in Rowan Co NC at enlistment & that after his military service, he moved to the Clinch River in TN, then in 1803 moved to Knox Co KY where he applied 22 Sep 1833. His brother, Peter HAMMOND was born 25 Nov 1759, & in 1833 lived in Perry Co KY & declared that he had served with his brother, Obadiah, for 2 tours. (RW Pension File S2263).
Knox-Perry-Lincoln County KyArchives Military Records.....Hammond, Obediah September 22, 1833 Revwar - Pension Rowan County NC Militia ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ky/kyfiles.html ************************************************
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Michael Glasscock michaelg@barbourville.com April 13, 2005, 4:44 pm
Pension Of American Revolution ABSTRACT OF OBEDIAH HAMMONS' PENSION PAPERS, #S.2263
22 Sept 1833 Knox Co KY
Obediah Hammons was born Dec 5, 1756, Prince William Co VA, and was the son of Obediah Hammons and Betty (Pullen).
Prince William Co VA was established in 1730/31 from Stafford & King George Cos, VA. Descendnat Counties include Fairfax (Loudoun) in 1742; and Fauquier in 1759. The boundaries of the newly-created Prince William County were described in a 1730 Act of the General Assembly as "...above Chopawansick Creek, on Potomack river, and Deep run on Rappahannock river and a south west line to be made, from the head of the north branch of the said creek, to the head of the said Deep run... and known by the name of Prince William County." (9 Hening 244). Note: See Also Virginia Parish Histories & Land Descriptions.
29 Sep 1730 (King George DBA-1:100-102) William McBEE of King George to Emmanuel CUMBER witnessed by (among others) John HAMMON. This land believed to have later been part of Prince William Co VA, was adjacent to BUTLERS, HARDINS, RUSSELLS, KINGS and Jeffrey JOHNSTON. Emmanuel Combs [sic] later found on 1738 Prince William VA Rent Roll, as was Joseph Combs. See also Obediah HAMMON in early records of Washington Co VA.
William3 Pullen, (Henry2, Thomas1) was born in 1697 in Lancaster County, Va., and in Northumberland, Va., married Winifred Everett, daughter of Thomas Everett and Elizabeth (Everett), who was born in 1696 in Northumberland, Va. William died on 17 Sep 1767 in Lancaster County, Va. Winifred died in 1766 in Lancaster County, Va. The Will of William Pullen was written 6 Aug 1767. It was Recorded 17 Sept 1767. It mentions Sons Thomas Pullen, Moses Pullen, Daughters Betty Hammond, Sarah Porter, Ann Swain, and Mary Lowery. Exors: Son Moses & Harry Carter. Wits: Thomas Everitt, Nancy Everitt. W.B. 18, p. 90.
While residing in Rowan County, North Carolina, Obadiah Hammons enlisted March 18, 1776, served as a Private in Captain Richmond Pierson's Company of North Carolina Troops, was transferred to Captain Richard Dowell's Company of Light Horse (length of this service was three months). He served in the fall of 1780, three months in Captain Gibson Wooldridge's Company, and another three months in same Company. While serving in Captain Richmond Pierson's and Holston's companies, he was out in pursuit of Tories, and was discharged a few days before "Cornwallis was taken by Washington", having served nine months.
Peter & Obediah HAMMONS, sons of Obediah & Betty HAMMONS, Sr., were both also Revolutionary War soldiers, both residents of Rowan Co, NC at enlistment. Like Nicholas COMBS, Peter HAMMONS also resided in Shenandoah Co, VA during the War, and later in Perry Co, KY (See Combs-Hammond Connections) Both a Peter and Obediah HAMMON are also additionally recorded in Washington Co, VA surveys, as are a Jeremiah, Thomas and William.
Washington Co, VA Surveys, Page 107 - Peter HAMMON - 40 ac. on both sides of the north fork of Holstein River - Treasury Warrant - Beginning on the north bank of the river - Warrant #12954 - November 2, 1783
Washington Co, VA Surveys, Page 334 - Obadiah HAMMON - 50 ac - treasury warrant #7566 dated October 25, 1781 - in the Big Cove on the waters of the north fork of Holstein River - November 6, 1786
Washington Co, VA Surveys, Page 041 - Robert FARIS - 153 ac. Commissioners Certificate - on the south fork of Holston River - Beginning on Robert STEVENSONS land - corner to Gideon FARRIS - may 28, 1782 - Robert FARIS, assignee of Thomas HAMMOND, assignee of William POY (BOY?), assignee of Andrew MEEK - 400 ac. on the south fork of Holstein, includes improvements, actual settlement made in 1772 - August 29, 1781
Washington Co, VA Surveys, Page 488 - Francis ARBOUGH, assignee of Giles WHITEKER, assignee of Jeremiah HAMMOND, assignee of Aaron LEWIS and James CRABTREE - 185 ac - treasury warrant #16519 - in the Poor Valley on the waters of the north fork of Holstein River - on the bank of Cove Creek - June 4, 1790
Washington Co, VA Surveys, Page 359 - William HAMMON - 130 ac - treasury warrant dated April 5, 1782 #8456 - on the south side of Holstein River and opposite the mouth of Spring Creek - June 6, 1786
The FARRIS families are also found in Russell Co, VA with Combs &c. Families, and the following survey indicates that Big Cove may have been a.k.a. FERRIS and HAMMONS Cove:
Washington Co, VA Surveys, Page 443 - William KING - 300 ac, 50 ac by former survey excluded for Robert BATES - treasury warrant #559 dated July 17, 1794 - in FAERSS Cove, formerly known by the name of HAMMONDS Cove - corner to Robert PRESTON'S survey of the locust cove and on the dividing ridge between the two aforementioned cove - on the top of the rich mountain - passing the red rocks - crossing Cove Branch - November 21, 1795
Obediah HAMMONS moved from Rowan Co North Carolina to Clinch River, Tennessee, thence to Knox County, Kentucky.
When independence was declared on 4 July 1776, only East Tennessee was settled, most of it within what was then the Washington District of North Carolina. The following year, on 18 Dec 1777, the assembly of North Carolina created Washington County, which remained the only county in east Tennessee throughout most of the Revolutionary War. Estimated thousands of men (and boys) from Washington County fought in the Rebolutionary War, the "Overmountain Boys" who, in fact, changed the course of the Revolutionary War when they fought at the Battle of King Mountain in the fall of 1781. Most of their names may never be known, there being very few extant records of the militia companies of East Tennessee. It is nevertheless probably fair to assume that a large number of those who were residing in that part of Washington County that became Greene less than two years after King's Mountain, participated in one or more military action during the War, and we are fortunate in that there are several extant early Greene County tax lists, including for the year 1783.
Obediah was allowed Pension on his application executed September 23, 1833, then a resident of Richland Creek, Knox County, Kentucky, where he had lived about 30 years.
Obediah stated in his pension papers, "I was twice called into service as a draftsman (my service being three months each), once as a volunteer for three months, and lastly a "ballotts" man as it was called for five months. I knew General Washington as a boy but never saw him during the War. I do not remember the names of any continental officers or regiments with whom I served. I am known in my neighborhood to JOB BROUGHTON who was, as I am informed, and believe, a Revolutionary War soldier."
The Revolutionary War Pension File of Peter HAMMONDS included his declaration of 11 February 1833 in Perry Co KY that he lived in Rowan Co NC at the time of his first enlistment and that he later enlisted in Shenandoah Co VA. (R W Pension File S30461) The Revolutionary War Pension file of Obadiah HAMMOND (also HAMMONDS & HAMMONS), application 22 September 1833, Knox Co KY, included his declaration that he was a son of Obadiah & Betty HAMMONS, that he was born 5 December 1756, that he lived in Rowan Co NC at enlistment & that after his military service, he moved to the Clinch River in TN, then in 1803 moved to Knox Co KY where he applied 22 September 1833. His brother, Peter HAMMOND was born 25 November 1759, & in 1833 lived in Perry Co KY & declared that he had served with his brother, Obadiah, for 2 tours. (R W Pension File S2263).
Note: Two Peter HAMMONDS are found on 1790 96th District, Greenville, SC Census. (Heads of Family, SC, 1790 Census, GPC, Baltimore, 1972).
PETER HAMMONS, brother of Obediah, was born November 25, 1759, and in 1833 was living in Perry County, Kentucky. He stated he served two years of three months each, with his brother, Obediah, in Captain Gibson Woolridge's Company during the Revolutionary War.
Peter HAMMONS entered the service as a drafted militiaman from Rowan Co NC in Captain Gibson Woolridge's Company for three months. He volunteered for three more months in Captain Woolridge's Company. He entered the service again as a drafted militiaman under Captain Langham for three months. He was drafted a second time as a drafted militiaman from Shenandoah Co VA under Captain William Riggins for three months.
Henry HURST and John HALL gave affidavits concerning Peter HAMMONS service, so did Peter HAMMONS on 11 February 1833 in Perry Co KY. On February 11, 1833 Daniel DUFF, a clergyman, and Justice BOWLING, both of Perry Co KY, stated they believed Peter HAMMONS to be 74 years old and to have been a soldier in the Revolution.
Obadiah HAMMOND was born 5 December 1756 in Prince William Co VA, son of Obadiah and Bettey HAMMONS. He enlisted 18 March 1776 while living in Rowan Co NC as a Private in Captain Richmond Pierson's Company of North Carolina troops and was transfered to Captain Richard Dowel's company - length of service three months. He entered the service again in the fall of 1780 for three months in Captain Gibson Woolridge's Company. He enlisted again for three months under Captain Woolridge. He entered the service again for nine months in Captain Richard Pierson's Company and was transferred to Captain Holston's Company.
Obadiah HAMMOND moved from Rowan Co NC to Clinch River, Tennessee, then to Knox Co KY. He received a pension on 12 October 1833 while living on Richland Creek in Knox Co KY where he had lived for about 30 years. Peter HAMMONS, a brother of Obadiah, was born on 25 November 1759 and served in the army with Obadiah. In 1833 he lived in Perry Co KY.
Job BROUGHTON, a Revolutionary veteran, was a neighbor of Obadiah HAMMOND and knew him. Obadiah also suggested Col. Benjamin TUGGLE, Ambrose Y. ANDERSON and Joseph PAYNE as witnesses to his pension claim.
Referring back to where Obediah stated he served as a "ballotts" man, the following information was found: In a short time after one of his services, two men out of every Company were "ballotted" for nine months. They were chosen from the Company by the vote of the Company. Obediah and Charles HUNTER won "ballotts" as they called it from his Company.
Here is another excerpt taken from Obediah's records:
On the 22nd day of September 1833, personally appeared in open court before Joseph EVE, Judge of the 15th Judicial District, including the County of Knox, Obediah HAMMONS, a resident of Richland Creek, in the County of Knox, State of Kentucky, aged 77 years on the 5th of December, who being first duly sworn according to law doeth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by Act of Congress, June 7, 1832.
The papers on file in this claim contain no reference to his wife or children.
Obediah HAMMONS was the original HAMMONS who came to Knox County and raised a large family. The HAMMONS' who live in Knox County today originated from Obediah and his large family. Surely his grave (hopefully with a tombstone) can be found and a D.A.R. or S.A.R. marker put up. This would be a great project for one of the HAMMONS families of Knox County to work on.
Obediah Hammons (b. December 5, 1756, d. date unknown)
Notes for Obediah Hammons: