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Reuben Emerson
FAYETTE CO. KY. On the 11th February 1832, personally appeared in open court, a resident of Fayette Co, Ky age 86. The soldier states that he entered the services under Col. Merriweather, Major Frank Thorn, Capt. James, Mills L Luitt, Bartlett Collins, in March 1781, and left it last of May 1781. When he entered the service he lived in Spottsylvania Co, Va. He was drafted. He was in action at Williamsburg against the British. He was commanded by Major Armstead in the action who was adjutant of the regiment. He marched through the counties of Caroline, Hanover and New Kent to Williamsburg where he remained over two months. He was then marched to Springfield, on James River, at Burrill's Ferry, where he continued a few weeks and was then marched to the new magazine above Williamsburg where he received a written discharge signed by Col. Holt, Richardson, which he lost about two years ago. He was again drafted in July 1781, resided in Spottsylvania Co, and served under John Tankurst, Captain Co__ Merriweather and Major John Hardman, he marched to Williamsburg through the same counties as above where he remained eight weeks as orderly sergeant to a hospital in consequence of being qualified to bleed, he then marched to York where Cornwallis was besieged by General Washington and remained there until the 17th October 1781, where he was discharged. During the siege he was occupied digging trenches. The first time he served within a few days of three months and the second tour upwards of three months, making in all at least six months, that he was in the service. The first tour he served he was commanded by General LaFayette, the second by General Washington and LaFayette, both of whom he saw.
He was born in Caroline County Virginia February 15th 1747. There is a register of his age left by his father, together with the ages of his brothers and sisters in a pocket book which is in the possession of a son of his deceased brother Tilby in Clark County Kentucky.
When he was called into service, he was living in Spottsylvania County, Virginia, after the revolution, he lived in Caroline Co, Va, until 1788 when he moved to Fayette Co, Kentucky where he has lived ever since. Residing in his neighborhood, who can testify to his character: Thomas Shelby, James Valandingham, Edmond Bullock, Charles Carr, and James Jenkins. -- George Boone a clergyman made affidavit that he was well acquainted with the applicant.
Affidavit of Francis Simpson, who states that he has known said Emerson for over fifty years. Recollects of having seen him in the army in the months of March, and April 1781 and was with him in a little engagement at Williamsburg, Va. After that time, "I never saw him until September in the same year, at which time I saw him at a hospital, about thirteen miles from Yorktown, at which place, I am of the opinion, he was attending on the sick in some capacity."
Affidavit of Dicy Nelson. Whereas, I am called on by Reuben Emmerson (my father) to state what I know relative to his services in the Revolutionary War, in answer to which I state that I distinctly recollect that in the year 1781 (to the best of my recollection) that the said Reuben Emmerson entered the services of the U.S. in Spottsylvania Co, and remained in the service to the best of my knowledge and belief for something like six months and I understood that he was drafted during the time of his services. This February 8th 1833. Signed Dicy Nelson.
Source: Records of Revolutionary War Pensions of Soldiers who Settled in Fayette County Kentucky Annie Walker Burns, compiler, Washington DC, 1936 Copy held by the Kentucky Room, Lexington Public Library Call number: R976.947 B4128r KY1936 |