Dan Alexander was a Patriot in the American Revolution. He proved his service when he applied for pension.
Katherine Keogh White included him in her book, "The King's Mountain Men." On Page 141, she wrote;
"Alexander. Daniel was in the Mecklenburg militia
1778-1781. When granted a pension he was on the in-
valid list."
White included many who did not fight in the Battle of King's Mountain. This Patriot never made that claim: he used the Battle of King's Mountain as a calendar marker. He testified, "The Battle
of Kings Mountain [October 7, 1780] was fought some were about this time period, in which the
British broke up and retreated westwardly to Hill's Iron Works and then to Cowan's Ford on the
Catawba River. We followed them as far as Hillsborough after which the company to which I
was attached was employed watching the Tories."
Again, he never claimed that he fought in the battle. The Patriots who fought in the battle did not follow the Tories. The participants disbanded. Those who lived close enough returned home. Colonels Sevier, Shelby, Campbell and Cleveland led their men to Colonel John Walker's plantation for respite before the arduous trip home.
Please note that Patriot Alexander never referred to himself as "Daniel" so his name may have been simply Dan.
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters
Pension application of Dan Alexander S2905 f24NC
Transcribed by Will Graves 7/24/06 rev'd 7/12/14
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Where the meaning is not compromised by adhering to the spelling, punctuation or grammar, no change has been made. Corrections or additional notes have been inserted within brackets or footnotes. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. A bracketed question mark indicates that the word or words preceding it represent(s) a guess by me. The word 'illegible' or 'indecipherable' appearing in brackets indicates that at the time I made the transcription, I was unable to decipher the word or phrase in question. Only materials pertinent to the military service of the veteran and to contemporary events have been transcribed. Affidavits that provide additional information on these events are included and genealogical information is abstracted, while standard, 'boilerplate' affidavits and attestations related solely to the application, and later nineteenth and twentieth century research requests for information have been omitted. I use speech recognition software to make all my transcriptions. Such software misinterprets my southern accent with unfortunate regularity and my poor proofreading skills fail to catch all misinterpretations. Also, dates or numbers which the software treats as numerals rather than words are not corrected: for example, the software transcribes "the eighth of June one thousand eighty six" as "the 8th of June 1786." Please call material errors or omissions to my attention.]
State Of Tennessee, Hardeman County
On the 26th, day of May 1834, personally appeared in open court before William B. Turly, Judge of the 10th Judicial court now sitting, Dan Alexander of the said County of Hardeman and State aforesaid aged Seventy Six years, who being forth due 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 of 1832.
That he was born in Mecklenburg County State of North Carolina Month of March 1757, which he learnt from the Registration of birth in his Father's bible. This declarant continued to reside in Mecklenburg County until the breaking out of the hostilities in the Revolutionary War. He then volunteered as one of the minute men and served in 1778 in a three months tour under General Irwin [Robert Irwin]. Capt. William Alexander being our Captain, he was nicknamed black Alexander. We then went in a direction towards Charleston in pursuit of the British who we heard were advancing from that direction. It however turned out a false alarm and we marched back to Charlotte Court House and were dismissed with orders to hold ourselves in readiness at a moment's warning.
We were afterwards called out to guard a magazine in Charlotte where the company was commanded by Capt. Thomas Alexander. We then served a tour of 6 Weeks. We were then marched to Ramsour's Mill in pursuit of the Toriesat the request of Gen. Rutherford [Griffith Rutherford]. Capt. Gilly Fall's [Gilbreath Falls'] company of minute men went with us, on reaching Ramsours Mill we found near 300 Tories collected. We made an attack [June 20, 1780] on them and dispersed them, killing several. Capt. Gilly Falls was killed and I saw him after he was dead.
We went through the country during the time of this Tour endeavoring to arrest Tories who were very troublesome and broke up several of their establishments. We were then marched to the forks of the Yadkin River in North Carolina on the same duty and captured several Tories who were sent to Salisbury Jail. On this tour we were engaged 3 months. I afterwards volunteered under Capt. Pettis to break up the Tories on Lynches Creek in South Carolina, and marched then a distance of 80 miles. We routed the Tories and drove them off after killing some. Lieutenant Brown was with us.
I also volunteered under Capt. Martin Fifer [Martin Phifer] on the same duty, and at the Moravian Town over Yadkin River and also in Guilford County under Capt. Alexander. In this I was four months employed. In 1780 we were called out and went under the command of Maj. Wm. R. Davie [William Richardson Davie], an Attorney and afterwards a Minister to France, I believe to join Gen. Gates [Horatio Gates] near Camden. Maj. Davie was a tall Sallow complexioned man with blue eyes. In getting as far as Gaston which is near the South Carolina line we met the American Army retreating. Gen. Gates and Maj. Davie had some conversation. We advanced some distance when in meeting some french [?] officers flying we also joined in the retreat. Gen. Gates had on a pale blue coat with epaulets, with velvet breeches, riding a bay horse. We retreated as far as Charlotte very much fatigued and worn down. The enemy followed us into Charlotte commanded by Gen. Cornwallis, where they took up quarters and remained there (?), this was in August. The American force was encamped ten miles north of Charlotte. The Battle of Kings Mountain [October 7, 1780] was fought some were about this time period, in which the British broke up and retreated westwardly to Hill's Iron Works and then to Cowan's Ford on the Catawba River. We followed them as far as Hillsborough after which the company to which I was attached was employed watching the Tories.
This declarant recollects Gen. Sumpter [sic, Thomas Sumter], Gen. Davidson [William Lee Davidson] who commanded the troops to which he was attached which encamped North of Charlotte Court House, and also Gen. Rutherford [Griffith Rutherford] and Gen. Pickens [Andrew Pickens] of South Carolina.
This declarant received but one discharge while in serving which he lost not calculating in it, was being of any use to him, he has no document in his possession by which he can prove his services, and he knows not of any person by whom he can testify as to his services.
This declarant had nearly forgot to state, that after the battle of Camden, he was dispatched under command of Capt.
McCall to Harts Mill near Hillsborough which was held by a guard of Eighteen grenadiers. We attacked them killing some and took six prisoners, one escaped in the creek.
This Declarant is so very old and his memory so bad, that he cannot recollect well as to years or dates in which he was called out and served. Being a volunteer as what was then called a minute man, he was constantly liable to duty and that frequently at detached periods lost as to the common enemy and the interval for the Society.
This declarant would further state that in the several tours of duty above set forth, six weeks was the regular draft for each and he served throughout fully. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
S/ Dan Alexander
S/ Jno: H Bills, Clerk
Hardeman County Court
[Reddick Disbough, a clergyman, and Stephen H. Doxey gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $40 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for service
as a private for one-year in the North Carolina militia.]
The actual burial site of Dan Alexander has been lost to history. The contribution that he made to American history deserved to be recognized and recorded for posterity, so we placed a Memorial Stone in his honor in the Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden. May this memorial serve as an expression of the gratitude and respect we owe him for risking his life and braving the unknown to help build a new country: our America.
Katherine Keogh White included him in her book, "The King's Mountain Men." On Page 141, she wrote;
"Alexander. Daniel was in the Mecklenburg militia
1778-1781. When granted a pension he was on the in-
valid list."
White included many who did not fight in the Battle of King's Mountain. This Patriot never made that claim: he used the Battle of King's Mountain as a calendar marker. He testified, "The Battle
of Kings Mountain [October 7, 1780] was fought some were about this time period, in which the
British broke up and retreated westwardly to Hill's Iron Works and then to Cowan's Ford on the
Catawba River. We followed them as far as Hillsborough after which the company to which I
was attached was employed watching the Tories."
Again, he never claimed that he fought in the battle. The Patriots who fought in the battle did not follow the Tories. The participants disbanded. Those who lived close enough returned home. Colonels Sevier, Shelby, Campbell and Cleveland led their men to Colonel John Walker's plantation for respite before the arduous trip home.
Please note that Patriot Alexander never referred to himself as "Daniel" so his name may have been simply Dan.
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters
Pension application of Dan Alexander S2905 f24NC
Transcribed by Will Graves 7/24/06 rev'd 7/12/14
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Where the meaning is not compromised by adhering to the spelling, punctuation or grammar, no change has been made. Corrections or additional notes have been inserted within brackets or footnotes. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. A bracketed question mark indicates that the word or words preceding it represent(s) a guess by me. The word 'illegible' or 'indecipherable' appearing in brackets indicates that at the time I made the transcription, I was unable to decipher the word or phrase in question. Only materials pertinent to the military service of the veteran and to contemporary events have been transcribed. Affidavits that provide additional information on these events are included and genealogical information is abstracted, while standard, 'boilerplate' affidavits and attestations related solely to the application, and later nineteenth and twentieth century research requests for information have been omitted. I use speech recognition software to make all my transcriptions. Such software misinterprets my southern accent with unfortunate regularity and my poor proofreading skills fail to catch all misinterpretations. Also, dates or numbers which the software treats as numerals rather than words are not corrected: for example, the software transcribes "the eighth of June one thousand eighty six" as "the 8th of June 1786." Please call material errors or omissions to my attention.]
State Of Tennessee, Hardeman County
On the 26th, day of May 1834, personally appeared in open court before William B. Turly, Judge of the 10th Judicial court now sitting, Dan Alexander of the said County of Hardeman and State aforesaid aged Seventy Six years, who being forth due 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 of 1832.
That he was born in Mecklenburg County State of North Carolina Month of March 1757, which he learnt from the Registration of birth in his Father's bible. This declarant continued to reside in Mecklenburg County until the breaking out of the hostilities in the Revolutionary War. He then volunteered as one of the minute men and served in 1778 in a three months tour under General Irwin [Robert Irwin]. Capt. William Alexander being our Captain, he was nicknamed black Alexander. We then went in a direction towards Charleston in pursuit of the British who we heard were advancing from that direction. It however turned out a false alarm and we marched back to Charlotte Court House and were dismissed with orders to hold ourselves in readiness at a moment's warning.
We were afterwards called out to guard a magazine in Charlotte where the company was commanded by Capt. Thomas Alexander. We then served a tour of 6 Weeks. We were then marched to Ramsour's Mill in pursuit of the Toriesat the request of Gen. Rutherford [Griffith Rutherford]. Capt. Gilly Fall's [Gilbreath Falls'] company of minute men went with us, on reaching Ramsours Mill we found near 300 Tories collected. We made an attack [June 20, 1780] on them and dispersed them, killing several. Capt. Gilly Falls was killed and I saw him after he was dead.
We went through the country during the time of this Tour endeavoring to arrest Tories who were very troublesome and broke up several of their establishments. We were then marched to the forks of the Yadkin River in North Carolina on the same duty and captured several Tories who were sent to Salisbury Jail. On this tour we were engaged 3 months. I afterwards volunteered under Capt. Pettis to break up the Tories on Lynches Creek in South Carolina, and marched then a distance of 80 miles. We routed the Tories and drove them off after killing some. Lieutenant Brown was with us.
I also volunteered under Capt. Martin Fifer [Martin Phifer] on the same duty, and at the Moravian Town over Yadkin River and also in Guilford County under Capt. Alexander. In this I was four months employed. In 1780 we were called out and went under the command of Maj. Wm. R. Davie [William Richardson Davie], an Attorney and afterwards a Minister to France, I believe to join Gen. Gates [Horatio Gates] near Camden. Maj. Davie was a tall Sallow complexioned man with blue eyes. In getting as far as Gaston which is near the South Carolina line we met the American Army retreating. Gen. Gates and Maj. Davie had some conversation. We advanced some distance when in meeting some french [?] officers flying we also joined in the retreat. Gen. Gates had on a pale blue coat with epaulets, with velvet breeches, riding a bay horse. We retreated as far as Charlotte very much fatigued and worn down. The enemy followed us into Charlotte commanded by Gen. Cornwallis, where they took up quarters and remained there (?), this was in August. The American force was encamped ten miles north of Charlotte. The Battle of Kings Mountain [October 7, 1780] was fought some were about this time period, in which the British broke up and retreated westwardly to Hill's Iron Works and then to Cowan's Ford on the Catawba River. We followed them as far as Hillsborough after which the company to which I was attached was employed watching the Tories.
This declarant recollects Gen. Sumpter [sic, Thomas Sumter], Gen. Davidson [William Lee Davidson] who commanded the troops to which he was attached which encamped North of Charlotte Court House, and also Gen. Rutherford [Griffith Rutherford] and Gen. Pickens [Andrew Pickens] of South Carolina.
This declarant received but one discharge while in serving which he lost not calculating in it, was being of any use to him, he has no document in his possession by which he can prove his services, and he knows not of any person by whom he can testify as to his services.
This declarant had nearly forgot to state, that after the battle of Camden, he was dispatched under command of Capt.
McCall to Harts Mill near Hillsborough which was held by a guard of Eighteen grenadiers. We attacked them killing some and took six prisoners, one escaped in the creek.
This Declarant is so very old and his memory so bad, that he cannot recollect well as to years or dates in which he was called out and served. Being a volunteer as what was then called a minute man, he was constantly liable to duty and that frequently at detached periods lost as to the common enemy and the interval for the Society.
This declarant would further state that in the several tours of duty above set forth, six weeks was the regular draft for each and he served throughout fully. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
S/ Dan Alexander
S/ Jno: H Bills, Clerk
Hardeman County Court
[Reddick Disbough, a clergyman, and Stephen H. Doxey gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $40 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for service
as a private for one-year in the North Carolina militia.]
The actual burial site of Dan Alexander has been lost to history. The contribution that he made to American history deserved to be recognized and recorded for posterity, so we placed a Memorial Stone in his honor in the Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden. May this memorial serve as an expression of the gratitude and respect we owe him for risking his life and braving the unknown to help build a new country: our America.
Dan Alexander was a Patriot in the American Revolution. He proved his service when he applied for pension.
Katherine Keogh White included him in her book, "The King's Mountain Men." On Page 141, she wrote;
"Alexander. Daniel was in the Mecklenburg militia
1778-1781. When granted a pension he was on the in-
valid list."
White included many who did not fight in the Battle of King's Mountain. This Patriot never made that claim: he used the Battle of King's Mountain as a calendar marker. He testified, "The Battle
of Kings Mountain [October 7, 1780] was fought some were about this time period, in which the
British broke up and retreated westwardly to Hill's Iron Works and then to Cowan's Ford on the
Catawba River. We followed them as far as Hillsborough after which the company to which I
was attached was employed watching the Tories."
Again, he never claimed that he fought in the battle. The Patriots who fought in the battle did not follow the Tories. The participants disbanded. Those who lived close enough returned home. Colonels Sevier, Shelby, Campbell and Cleveland led their men to Colonel John Walker's plantation for respite before the arduous trip home.
Please note that Patriot Alexander never referred to himself as "Daniel" so his name may have been simply Dan.
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters
Pension application of Dan Alexander S2905 f24NC
Transcribed by Will Graves 7/24/06 rev'd 7/12/14
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Where the meaning is not compromised by adhering to the spelling, punctuation or grammar, no change has been made. Corrections or additional notes have been inserted within brackets or footnotes. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. A bracketed question mark indicates that the word or words preceding it represent(s) a guess by me. The word 'illegible' or 'indecipherable' appearing in brackets indicates that at the time I made the transcription, I was unable to decipher the word or phrase in question. Only materials pertinent to the military service of the veteran and to contemporary events have been transcribed. Affidavits that provide additional information on these events are included and genealogical information is abstracted, while standard, 'boilerplate' affidavits and attestations related solely to the application, and later nineteenth and twentieth century research requests for information have been omitted. I use speech recognition software to make all my transcriptions. Such software misinterprets my southern accent with unfortunate regularity and my poor proofreading skills fail to catch all misinterpretations. Also, dates or numbers which the software treats as numerals rather than words are not corrected: for example, the software transcribes "the eighth of June one thousand eighty six" as "the 8th of June 1786." Please call material errors or omissions to my attention.]
State Of Tennessee, Hardeman County
On the 26th, day of May 1834, personally appeared in open court before William B. Turly, Judge of the 10th Judicial court now sitting, Dan Alexander of the said County of Hardeman and State aforesaid aged Seventy Six years, who being forth due 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 of 1832.
That he was born in Mecklenburg County State of North Carolina Month of March 1757, which he learnt from the Registration of birth in his Father's bible. This declarant continued to reside in Mecklenburg County until the breaking out of the hostilities in the Revolutionary War. He then volunteered as one of the minute men and served in 1778 in a three months tour under General Irwin [Robert Irwin]. Capt. William Alexander being our Captain, he was nicknamed black Alexander. We then went in a direction towards Charleston in pursuit of the British who we heard were advancing from that direction. It however turned out a false alarm and we marched back to Charlotte Court House and were dismissed with orders to hold ourselves in readiness at a moment's warning.
We were afterwards called out to guard a magazine in Charlotte where the company was commanded by Capt. Thomas Alexander. We then served a tour of 6 Weeks. We were then marched to Ramsour's Mill in pursuit of the Toriesat the request of Gen. Rutherford [Griffith Rutherford]. Capt. Gilly Fall's [Gilbreath Falls'] company of minute men went with us, on reaching Ramsours Mill we found near 300 Tories collected. We made an attack [June 20, 1780] on them and dispersed them, killing several. Capt. Gilly Falls was killed and I saw him after he was dead.
We went through the country during the time of this Tour endeavoring to arrest Tories who were very troublesome and broke up several of their establishments. We were then marched to the forks of the Yadkin River in North Carolina on the same duty and captured several Tories who were sent to Salisbury Jail. On this tour we were engaged 3 months. I afterwards volunteered under Capt. Pettis to break up the Tories on Lynches Creek in South Carolina, and marched then a distance of 80 miles. We routed the Tories and drove them off after killing some. Lieutenant Brown was with us.
I also volunteered under Capt. Martin Fifer [Martin Phifer] on the same duty, and at the Moravian Town over Yadkin River and also in Guilford County under Capt. Alexander. In this I was four months employed. In 1780 we were called out and went under the command of Maj. Wm. R. Davie [William Richardson Davie], an Attorney and afterwards a Minister to France, I believe to join Gen. Gates [Horatio Gates] near Camden. Maj. Davie was a tall Sallow complexioned man with blue eyes. In getting as far as Gaston which is near the South Carolina line we met the American Army retreating. Gen. Gates and Maj. Davie had some conversation. We advanced some distance when in meeting some french [?] officers flying we also joined in the retreat. Gen. Gates had on a pale blue coat with epaulets, with velvet breeches, riding a bay horse. We retreated as far as Charlotte very much fatigued and worn down. The enemy followed us into Charlotte commanded by Gen. Cornwallis, where they took up quarters and remained there (?), this was in August. The American force was encamped ten miles north of Charlotte. The Battle of Kings Mountain [October 7, 1780] was fought some were about this time period, in which the British broke up and retreated westwardly to Hill's Iron Works and then to Cowan's Ford on the Catawba River. We followed them as far as Hillsborough after which the company to which I was attached was employed watching the Tories.
This declarant recollects Gen. Sumpter [sic, Thomas Sumter], Gen. Davidson [William Lee Davidson] who commanded the troops to which he was attached which encamped North of Charlotte Court House, and also Gen. Rutherford [Griffith Rutherford] and Gen. Pickens [Andrew Pickens] of South Carolina.
This declarant received but one discharge while in serving which he lost not calculating in it, was being of any use to him, he has no document in his possession by which he can prove his services, and he knows not of any person by whom he can testify as to his services.
This declarant had nearly forgot to state, that after the battle of Camden, he was dispatched under command of Capt.
McCall to Harts Mill near Hillsborough which was held by a guard of Eighteen grenadiers. We attacked them killing some and took six prisoners, one escaped in the creek.
This Declarant is so very old and his memory so bad, that he cannot recollect well as to years or dates in which he was called out and served. Being a volunteer as what was then called a minute man, he was constantly liable to duty and that frequently at detached periods lost as to the common enemy and the interval for the Society.
This declarant would further state that in the several tours of duty above set forth, six weeks was the regular draft for each and he served throughout fully. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
S/ Dan Alexander
S/ Jno: H Bills, Clerk
Hardeman County Court
[Reddick Disbough, a clergyman, and Stephen H. Doxey gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $40 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for service
as a private for one-year in the North Carolina militia.]
The actual burial site of Dan Alexander has been lost to history. The contribution that he made to American history deserved to be recognized and recorded for posterity, so we placed a Memorial Stone in his honor in the Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden. May this memorial serve as an expression of the gratitude and respect we owe him for risking his life and braving the unknown to help build a new country: our America.
Katherine Keogh White included him in her book, "The King's Mountain Men." On Page 141, she wrote;
"Alexander. Daniel was in the Mecklenburg militia
1778-1781. When granted a pension he was on the in-
valid list."
White included many who did not fight in the Battle of King's Mountain. This Patriot never made that claim: he used the Battle of King's Mountain as a calendar marker. He testified, "The Battle
of Kings Mountain [October 7, 1780] was fought some were about this time period, in which the
British broke up and retreated westwardly to Hill's Iron Works and then to Cowan's Ford on the
Catawba River. We followed them as far as Hillsborough after which the company to which I
was attached was employed watching the Tories."
Again, he never claimed that he fought in the battle. The Patriots who fought in the battle did not follow the Tories. The participants disbanded. Those who lived close enough returned home. Colonels Sevier, Shelby, Campbell and Cleveland led their men to Colonel John Walker's plantation for respite before the arduous trip home.
Please note that Patriot Alexander never referred to himself as "Daniel" so his name may have been simply Dan.
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters
Pension application of Dan Alexander S2905 f24NC
Transcribed by Will Graves 7/24/06 rev'd 7/12/14
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Where the meaning is not compromised by adhering to the spelling, punctuation or grammar, no change has been made. Corrections or additional notes have been inserted within brackets or footnotes. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. A bracketed question mark indicates that the word or words preceding it represent(s) a guess by me. The word 'illegible' or 'indecipherable' appearing in brackets indicates that at the time I made the transcription, I was unable to decipher the word or phrase in question. Only materials pertinent to the military service of the veteran and to contemporary events have been transcribed. Affidavits that provide additional information on these events are included and genealogical information is abstracted, while standard, 'boilerplate' affidavits and attestations related solely to the application, and later nineteenth and twentieth century research requests for information have been omitted. I use speech recognition software to make all my transcriptions. Such software misinterprets my southern accent with unfortunate regularity and my poor proofreading skills fail to catch all misinterpretations. Also, dates or numbers which the software treats as numerals rather than words are not corrected: for example, the software transcribes "the eighth of June one thousand eighty six" as "the 8th of June 1786." Please call material errors or omissions to my attention.]
State Of Tennessee, Hardeman County
On the 26th, day of May 1834, personally appeared in open court before William B. Turly, Judge of the 10th Judicial court now sitting, Dan Alexander of the said County of Hardeman and State aforesaid aged Seventy Six years, who being forth due 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 of 1832.
That he was born in Mecklenburg County State of North Carolina Month of March 1757, which he learnt from the Registration of birth in his Father's bible. This declarant continued to reside in Mecklenburg County until the breaking out of the hostilities in the Revolutionary War. He then volunteered as one of the minute men and served in 1778 in a three months tour under General Irwin [Robert Irwin]. Capt. William Alexander being our Captain, he was nicknamed black Alexander. We then went in a direction towards Charleston in pursuit of the British who we heard were advancing from that direction. It however turned out a false alarm and we marched back to Charlotte Court House and were dismissed with orders to hold ourselves in readiness at a moment's warning.
We were afterwards called out to guard a magazine in Charlotte where the company was commanded by Capt. Thomas Alexander. We then served a tour of 6 Weeks. We were then marched to Ramsour's Mill in pursuit of the Toriesat the request of Gen. Rutherford [Griffith Rutherford]. Capt. Gilly Fall's [Gilbreath Falls'] company of minute men went with us, on reaching Ramsours Mill we found near 300 Tories collected. We made an attack [June 20, 1780] on them and dispersed them, killing several. Capt. Gilly Falls was killed and I saw him after he was dead.
We went through the country during the time of this Tour endeavoring to arrest Tories who were very troublesome and broke up several of their establishments. We were then marched to the forks of the Yadkin River in North Carolina on the same duty and captured several Tories who were sent to Salisbury Jail. On this tour we were engaged 3 months. I afterwards volunteered under Capt. Pettis to break up the Tories on Lynches Creek in South Carolina, and marched then a distance of 80 miles. We routed the Tories and drove them off after killing some. Lieutenant Brown was with us.
I also volunteered under Capt. Martin Fifer [Martin Phifer] on the same duty, and at the Moravian Town over Yadkin River and also in Guilford County under Capt. Alexander. In this I was four months employed. In 1780 we were called out and went under the command of Maj. Wm. R. Davie [William Richardson Davie], an Attorney and afterwards a Minister to France, I believe to join Gen. Gates [Horatio Gates] near Camden. Maj. Davie was a tall Sallow complexioned man with blue eyes. In getting as far as Gaston which is near the South Carolina line we met the American Army retreating. Gen. Gates and Maj. Davie had some conversation. We advanced some distance when in meeting some french [?] officers flying we also joined in the retreat. Gen. Gates had on a pale blue coat with epaulets, with velvet breeches, riding a bay horse. We retreated as far as Charlotte very much fatigued and worn down. The enemy followed us into Charlotte commanded by Gen. Cornwallis, where they took up quarters and remained there (?), this was in August. The American force was encamped ten miles north of Charlotte. The Battle of Kings Mountain [October 7, 1780] was fought some were about this time period, in which the British broke up and retreated westwardly to Hill's Iron Works and then to Cowan's Ford on the Catawba River. We followed them as far as Hillsborough after which the company to which I was attached was employed watching the Tories.
This declarant recollects Gen. Sumpter [sic, Thomas Sumter], Gen. Davidson [William Lee Davidson] who commanded the troops to which he was attached which encamped North of Charlotte Court House, and also Gen. Rutherford [Griffith Rutherford] and Gen. Pickens [Andrew Pickens] of South Carolina.
This declarant received but one discharge while in serving which he lost not calculating in it, was being of any use to him, he has no document in his possession by which he can prove his services, and he knows not of any person by whom he can testify as to his services.
This declarant had nearly forgot to state, that after the battle of Camden, he was dispatched under command of Capt.
McCall to Harts Mill near Hillsborough which was held by a guard of Eighteen grenadiers. We attacked them killing some and took six prisoners, one escaped in the creek.
This Declarant is so very old and his memory so bad, that he cannot recollect well as to years or dates in which he was called out and served. Being a volunteer as what was then called a minute man, he was constantly liable to duty and that frequently at detached periods lost as to the common enemy and the interval for the Society.
This declarant would further state that in the several tours of duty above set forth, six weeks was the regular draft for each and he served throughout fully. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
S/ Dan Alexander
S/ Jno: H Bills, Clerk
Hardeman County Court
[Reddick Disbough, a clergyman, and Stephen H. Doxey gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $40 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for service
as a private for one-year in the North Carolina militia.]
The actual burial site of Dan Alexander has been lost to history. The contribution that he made to American history deserved to be recognized and recorded for posterity, so we placed a Memorial Stone in his honor in the Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden. May this memorial serve as an expression of the gratitude and respect we owe him for risking his life and braving the unknown to help build a new country: our America.
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