CHARLES BETTISWORTH
Was born in Virginia in 1761.
He enlisted when only eighteen years of age, three years after the battle of Lexington, and served until the close of the war of the Virginia line of troops.
He came to Illinois at an early date, settling in Hancock County, where he died June 12, 1842.
~~~~~~~~~
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters
Pension Application of Charles Bettisworth (Bettsworth) S32117 Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Kentucky Adair County SS
On this 1st day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the justices of the Adair
County Court being a Court of record now sitting Charles Bettesworth aged seventy one years on the 23th
day of next month who being first duly 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 7th 1832 He states that he was
th
born on the 23 day of November 1761 in the parish of Washington and County of King George in the
state of Virginia he does not know whether there was any record or register made of his age
He states that he resided there until the winter of 1777 – 1778 when he entered the service of the United State and became a soldier of the revolutionary army under the following circumstances. the state of Virginia being called on to raise troops and furnish her quota of the United States army ordered a draft to be made amongst her enrolled militia and amongst the number drawn for Westmoreland County Virginia was a certain Richard Drake who was drafted for 12 months on the 10th of February 1778 who not wishing to go hired him the said Bettesworth as his substitute to perform his tour for the sum of fifty pounds in Continental money and whatever pay or emoluments might arise from the campaign. He states that in pursuance of this agreement he went into Westmoreland County in February 1778 and was enrolled in the room of said Drake as his substitute and took the oaths & entered the service there and was placed under the command of Capt. Reuben Brisco [sic: Reuben Briscoe] & Lieut Thomas Pratt Hungerford of
the United States army who both lived in Westmoreland County and who had been permitted to come home on furlough. Supposes he was placed on the roll of the virginia line on continental establishment but being an illiterate private and unacquainted with the history of the war save what he knows by actual service and the reports of his fellow soldiers with whom he associated at that eventful period By Capt Briscoe he was ordered to hold himself ready for marching orders at a moments warning. He states that after being several times called on and again sent back to wait farther orders finally sometime early in May 1778 he was ordered to repair to to a place called Roger’s Ordinary in King George County where he joined some troops raised in the same manner they were marched by those officers to Fredericksburgh [sic: Fredericksburg] Virginia they there remained for 17 days and then on the 3rd of June marched
rapidly across Virginia to Maryland & Pensylvania to Valley forge where the American army was stationed under the command of Genl Washington there he was attatched to capt Briscoes Company of infantry of the third Virginia Regiment commanded by Colo. Heath [sic: William Heth] – Gen’l. Woodfords [William Woodford’s] Brigade his Lieut T P Hungerford his ensign Hawkins his Majors name he has forgotten. He states that shortly after he joined the Army the British evacuated Philadelpha [sic: Philadelphia, 18 Jun 1778] & marched across the Country [to New York]. He states that having drawn uniform clothes arms and rations he was marched with the main army in pursuit of the British and their foraging parties until they were overtaken and the battle of Monmouth was fought on the 28th of June 1778 He states that he was not in that battle owing to his being a raw recruit and his gun out of repair he was with many others placed as guard over the baggage waggons and stationed about 11⁄2 miles distant from the scene of action. He states that after the battle was fought and the dead buried in which about 3 days were spent they were marched to Brunswick during this march they suffered greatly from heat having reached Brunswick they were halted and rested for some time washed their clothes got their
guns repaired and cleansed and rejoiced over the issue of the battle after remaining there some time they marched crossing the North river at Kings ferry to White Plains in the State of New York the British were at this time in New York and Long Island after lying there a considerable time about the beginning of the
fall season the British having sent out a foraging party and Woodfords Brigade were ordered in pursuit both parties crossed North River the same evening at Kings ferry and they pressed the British so closely that they abandoned some beeves they were butchering in an orchard and took to their shipping down the bay after a halt of about a week they were marched to Newark where they lay about a month and from there to Pompton Plains where they were halted a few days from there they were marched through Springfield and Scotch Plains to Middlebrook and there took up winter quarters He states that he lay
th th
there until the 19 of February 1779 his term of sevice having expired on the 10 of that month he was
compelled to wait until others and the officers commanding them were ready on the 19th he with about 600 others whose term of service was out were marched across Pensylvania & Maryland & across the Potomac at Nolands ferry and there in Virginia recieved his discharge but by whom it was signed he does not recollect but thinks it was signed by Genl Woodford & forwarded with the officer who discharged them in Virginia He states that he reached home on the 6th day of March 1779 & farther states that he preserved this written discharge with great care until the year 1783 when he with others were notified to attend at Richmond Va and lay his discharge before the Auditor who would give him a certificate which would entitle him to some arrears of pay. He states that accordingly attended presented it and recieved a certificate that answered the purpose of paying taxes whether his discharge was kept by the Auditor or not he does not know but he never recollects to have seen it since that time but thinks his name will in consequence of this be found on some of the Virginia rolls or Auditors reports On this campaign he states that he served faithfully one year
He further states that after his return he lived with his father in King George until in the year 1780 [the British] came up the Potomac and carried on a predatory warfare carrying of slaves &c & receiving and carrying off slaves who were in the habit of stealing canoes & going to them to prevent this call was made on the Militia of King George and other Counties & he performed a tour of two months but whether as a volunteer of drafted man he cannot recollect they rendezvoused & were stationed at Madox [sic: Mattox] Creek in Westmoreland County Virginia under the command of Captain Butler of Westmoreland Lieut. Bartlett of same County & was appointed a corporal by Capt Butler they were stationed as a guard over the canoes and small craft which had been collected for a considerable distance up and down the river from that point & ran up Madox Creek to keep them out of the reach of the British and negroes he states that he served fully two months in this service as a corporal and was verbally discharged by his Captain Butler He states that he then returned to King George where he continued to reside until about the first of August in the year 1781 he was drafted in the Virginia Militia to go against Cornwallis’ army he states that on the day of the draught they were ordered to march to & hold their rendezvous at Lovells ordinary in King George County which they did and their Company placed under the command of Captain Robert Yates his Lieut was named Alexander. he was there appointed by his Captain a Corporal they were marched for Gloucester Court house Crossed the Rappahanock [sic: Rappahannock] River at Leedstown & through Essex and Middlesex Counties at Gloucester they joined the army his Colonel was [William] Campbell by whom he was appointed fugleman [soldier posted as a model for others during drill] to the regiment his brigade was Commanded by Gen’l. Weeden [sic: George Weedon]. They were marched down the Country and lay at a mill for some time the name of which he has forgotten from there they were marched against the British at the Siege of York. Gen’l. Weedens Brigade was stationed at Glocester town and there the applicant continued during the siege performing the duties of a soldier & corporal He states that he does not think there were any regular troops stationed at the encampment on the Gloucester side but French and he did not learn the names of their officers. he states that there was a company of Militia Grenadiers formed who were commanded by Colo. Mercer of Virginia. He states that during the siege he had in common with that brave army many trials and hardships to endure they were poorly supplied with provisions, were very sickly & almost continually on Picket Guard and constant watching. He states that during the siege the British made a sortie & with about 300 horse and a regiment of infantry approached the American lines Weedens
Brigade was put in motion to meet them & marched forward with two small field pieces to oppose them but while marching they were passed by about 40 French Dragoons some mounted Milia and Mercers Corps of Grenadiers who dashed forward in advance of the army encountered them and put them to flight killing their colonel &c & taking 2 of the Queens Rangers prisoner before Weedens brigade got near enough to take part in the engagement. He states that his company with himself was part of a corps sent in the night to surprise and take the British Fort on the Gloucester side the Corps was commanded by some French officers and the corps having the darkness & silence marched within gunshot of the fort
were discovered to the British by the accidental firing a some militia soldiers gun the fort opened their guns on them and they were compelled to make a precipitate retreat much to their regret but after the surrender & they had an opportunity of examining the manner of its fortification they were glad that it terminated as it did for their reception would have been bloody and greatly destructive if not fatal He states that he remained faithfully and actively engaged in the service until the British surrendered [19 Oct 1781] assisted sometime in Guarding them there and on the road to Gloucester Courthouse but being sick was discharged by the officer of the Guards Verbally near Gloucester Courthouse Verbally but if he then knew the name of the officer he has since for forgotten it as the proceedings of the army were carried with much irregularity in the midst of the general rejoicing he states that this was about the last of October and that on this campain he served fully 3 months and was a Corporal & fugleman during the time as stated above. He was carried home by some of his friends & lay sick for about 7 weeks. He continued to live in King George County until the year 1782 when he settled in Westmoreland County Virginia where he lived until the spring of the year 1807 when he moved to & settled in Bottetourt [sic: Botetourt] County Virginia where he lived till the fall of 1814 when he moved to Green County Kentucky he lived there
until the year 1817 when he moved to Adair County where he now lives
He states that he served in the regular army one year as a substitute, and on his own account in the militia of Virginia 5 months a corporal and for those two last mentioned tours has no documentary evidence of any kind nor does he know of any living witness by whom he can his actual service on those tours
He states that William Settles Sen’r. who is his neighbor who was born in King George County & lived there during the time this service was performed can from long acquaintance with this applicant can prove his character as a man of veracity and that it was commonly reported in King George County by the neighbors & soldiers that he served as he states
He hereby relinquishes all and every claim to any pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state Charles hisXmark Bettisworth
NOTE: On 26 May 1834 Charles “Bettsworth” applied to have his pension transferred to Illinois, having moved to Hancock County for the following reason: “most of his children having removed to Illinois induced him to visit it and he was so well pleased with the country that he moved to it.” His son, Evin Bettisworth, stated that he had been present when his father drew his pension in Kentucky.
Was born in Virginia in 1761.
He enlisted when only eighteen years of age, three years after the battle of Lexington, and served until the close of the war of the Virginia line of troops.
He came to Illinois at an early date, settling in Hancock County, where he died June 12, 1842.
~~~~~~~~~
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters
Pension Application of Charles Bettisworth (Bettsworth) S32117 Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Kentucky Adair County SS
On this 1st day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the justices of the Adair
County Court being a Court of record now sitting Charles Bettesworth aged seventy one years on the 23th
day of next month who being first duly 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 7th 1832 He states that he was
th
born on the 23 day of November 1761 in the parish of Washington and County of King George in the
state of Virginia he does not know whether there was any record or register made of his age
He states that he resided there until the winter of 1777 – 1778 when he entered the service of the United State and became a soldier of the revolutionary army under the following circumstances. the state of Virginia being called on to raise troops and furnish her quota of the United States army ordered a draft to be made amongst her enrolled militia and amongst the number drawn for Westmoreland County Virginia was a certain Richard Drake who was drafted for 12 months on the 10th of February 1778 who not wishing to go hired him the said Bettesworth as his substitute to perform his tour for the sum of fifty pounds in Continental money and whatever pay or emoluments might arise from the campaign. He states that in pursuance of this agreement he went into Westmoreland County in February 1778 and was enrolled in the room of said Drake as his substitute and took the oaths & entered the service there and was placed under the command of Capt. Reuben Brisco [sic: Reuben Briscoe] & Lieut Thomas Pratt Hungerford of
the United States army who both lived in Westmoreland County and who had been permitted to come home on furlough. Supposes he was placed on the roll of the virginia line on continental establishment but being an illiterate private and unacquainted with the history of the war save what he knows by actual service and the reports of his fellow soldiers with whom he associated at that eventful period By Capt Briscoe he was ordered to hold himself ready for marching orders at a moments warning. He states that after being several times called on and again sent back to wait farther orders finally sometime early in May 1778 he was ordered to repair to to a place called Roger’s Ordinary in King George County where he joined some troops raised in the same manner they were marched by those officers to Fredericksburgh [sic: Fredericksburg] Virginia they there remained for 17 days and then on the 3rd of June marched
rapidly across Virginia to Maryland & Pensylvania to Valley forge where the American army was stationed under the command of Genl Washington there he was attatched to capt Briscoes Company of infantry of the third Virginia Regiment commanded by Colo. Heath [sic: William Heth] – Gen’l. Woodfords [William Woodford’s] Brigade his Lieut T P Hungerford his ensign Hawkins his Majors name he has forgotten. He states that shortly after he joined the Army the British evacuated Philadelpha [sic: Philadelphia, 18 Jun 1778] & marched across the Country [to New York]. He states that having drawn uniform clothes arms and rations he was marched with the main army in pursuit of the British and their foraging parties until they were overtaken and the battle of Monmouth was fought on the 28th of June 1778 He states that he was not in that battle owing to his being a raw recruit and his gun out of repair he was with many others placed as guard over the baggage waggons and stationed about 11⁄2 miles distant from the scene of action. He states that after the battle was fought and the dead buried in which about 3 days were spent they were marched to Brunswick during this march they suffered greatly from heat having reached Brunswick they were halted and rested for some time washed their clothes got their
guns repaired and cleansed and rejoiced over the issue of the battle after remaining there some time they marched crossing the North river at Kings ferry to White Plains in the State of New York the British were at this time in New York and Long Island after lying there a considerable time about the beginning of the
fall season the British having sent out a foraging party and Woodfords Brigade were ordered in pursuit both parties crossed North River the same evening at Kings ferry and they pressed the British so closely that they abandoned some beeves they were butchering in an orchard and took to their shipping down the bay after a halt of about a week they were marched to Newark where they lay about a month and from there to Pompton Plains where they were halted a few days from there they were marched through Springfield and Scotch Plains to Middlebrook and there took up winter quarters He states that he lay
th th
there until the 19 of February 1779 his term of sevice having expired on the 10 of that month he was
compelled to wait until others and the officers commanding them were ready on the 19th he with about 600 others whose term of service was out were marched across Pensylvania & Maryland & across the Potomac at Nolands ferry and there in Virginia recieved his discharge but by whom it was signed he does not recollect but thinks it was signed by Genl Woodford & forwarded with the officer who discharged them in Virginia He states that he reached home on the 6th day of March 1779 & farther states that he preserved this written discharge with great care until the year 1783 when he with others were notified to attend at Richmond Va and lay his discharge before the Auditor who would give him a certificate which would entitle him to some arrears of pay. He states that accordingly attended presented it and recieved a certificate that answered the purpose of paying taxes whether his discharge was kept by the Auditor or not he does not know but he never recollects to have seen it since that time but thinks his name will in consequence of this be found on some of the Virginia rolls or Auditors reports On this campaign he states that he served faithfully one year
He further states that after his return he lived with his father in King George until in the year 1780 [the British] came up the Potomac and carried on a predatory warfare carrying of slaves &c & receiving and carrying off slaves who were in the habit of stealing canoes & going to them to prevent this call was made on the Militia of King George and other Counties & he performed a tour of two months but whether as a volunteer of drafted man he cannot recollect they rendezvoused & were stationed at Madox [sic: Mattox] Creek in Westmoreland County Virginia under the command of Captain Butler of Westmoreland Lieut. Bartlett of same County & was appointed a corporal by Capt Butler they were stationed as a guard over the canoes and small craft which had been collected for a considerable distance up and down the river from that point & ran up Madox Creek to keep them out of the reach of the British and negroes he states that he served fully two months in this service as a corporal and was verbally discharged by his Captain Butler He states that he then returned to King George where he continued to reside until about the first of August in the year 1781 he was drafted in the Virginia Militia to go against Cornwallis’ army he states that on the day of the draught they were ordered to march to & hold their rendezvous at Lovells ordinary in King George County which they did and their Company placed under the command of Captain Robert Yates his Lieut was named Alexander. he was there appointed by his Captain a Corporal they were marched for Gloucester Court house Crossed the Rappahanock [sic: Rappahannock] River at Leedstown & through Essex and Middlesex Counties at Gloucester they joined the army his Colonel was [William] Campbell by whom he was appointed fugleman [soldier posted as a model for others during drill] to the regiment his brigade was Commanded by Gen’l. Weeden [sic: George Weedon]. They were marched down the Country and lay at a mill for some time the name of which he has forgotten from there they were marched against the British at the Siege of York. Gen’l. Weedens Brigade was stationed at Glocester town and there the applicant continued during the siege performing the duties of a soldier & corporal He states that he does not think there were any regular troops stationed at the encampment on the Gloucester side but French and he did not learn the names of their officers. he states that there was a company of Militia Grenadiers formed who were commanded by Colo. Mercer of Virginia. He states that during the siege he had in common with that brave army many trials and hardships to endure they were poorly supplied with provisions, were very sickly & almost continually on Picket Guard and constant watching. He states that during the siege the British made a sortie & with about 300 horse and a regiment of infantry approached the American lines Weedens
Brigade was put in motion to meet them & marched forward with two small field pieces to oppose them but while marching they were passed by about 40 French Dragoons some mounted Milia and Mercers Corps of Grenadiers who dashed forward in advance of the army encountered them and put them to flight killing their colonel &c & taking 2 of the Queens Rangers prisoner before Weedens brigade got near enough to take part in the engagement. He states that his company with himself was part of a corps sent in the night to surprise and take the British Fort on the Gloucester side the Corps was commanded by some French officers and the corps having the darkness & silence marched within gunshot of the fort
were discovered to the British by the accidental firing a some militia soldiers gun the fort opened their guns on them and they were compelled to make a precipitate retreat much to their regret but after the surrender & they had an opportunity of examining the manner of its fortification they were glad that it terminated as it did for their reception would have been bloody and greatly destructive if not fatal He states that he remained faithfully and actively engaged in the service until the British surrendered [19 Oct 1781] assisted sometime in Guarding them there and on the road to Gloucester Courthouse but being sick was discharged by the officer of the Guards Verbally near Gloucester Courthouse Verbally but if he then knew the name of the officer he has since for forgotten it as the proceedings of the army were carried with much irregularity in the midst of the general rejoicing he states that this was about the last of October and that on this campain he served fully 3 months and was a Corporal & fugleman during the time as stated above. He was carried home by some of his friends & lay sick for about 7 weeks. He continued to live in King George County until the year 1782 when he settled in Westmoreland County Virginia where he lived until the spring of the year 1807 when he moved to & settled in Bottetourt [sic: Botetourt] County Virginia where he lived till the fall of 1814 when he moved to Green County Kentucky he lived there
until the year 1817 when he moved to Adair County where he now lives
He states that he served in the regular army one year as a substitute, and on his own account in the militia of Virginia 5 months a corporal and for those two last mentioned tours has no documentary evidence of any kind nor does he know of any living witness by whom he can his actual service on those tours
He states that William Settles Sen’r. who is his neighbor who was born in King George County & lived there during the time this service was performed can from long acquaintance with this applicant can prove his character as a man of veracity and that it was commonly reported in King George County by the neighbors & soldiers that he served as he states
He hereby relinquishes all and every claim to any pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state Charles hisXmark Bettisworth
NOTE: On 26 May 1834 Charles “Bettsworth” applied to have his pension transferred to Illinois, having moved to Hancock County for the following reason: “most of his children having removed to Illinois induced him to visit it and he was so well pleased with the country that he moved to it.” His son, Evin Bettisworth, stated that he had been present when his father drew his pension in Kentucky.
CHARLES BETTISWORTH
Was born in Virginia in 1761.
He enlisted when only eighteen years of age, three years after the battle of Lexington, and served until the close of the war of the Virginia line of troops.
He came to Illinois at an early date, settling in Hancock County, where he died June 12, 1842.
~~~~~~~~~
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters
Pension Application of Charles Bettisworth (Bettsworth) S32117 Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Kentucky Adair County SS
On this 1st day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the justices of the Adair
County Court being a Court of record now sitting Charles Bettesworth aged seventy one years on the 23th
day of next month who being first duly 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 7th 1832 He states that he was
th
born on the 23 day of November 1761 in the parish of Washington and County of King George in the
state of Virginia he does not know whether there was any record or register made of his age
He states that he resided there until the winter of 1777 – 1778 when he entered the service of the United State and became a soldier of the revolutionary army under the following circumstances. the state of Virginia being called on to raise troops and furnish her quota of the United States army ordered a draft to be made amongst her enrolled militia and amongst the number drawn for Westmoreland County Virginia was a certain Richard Drake who was drafted for 12 months on the 10th of February 1778 who not wishing to go hired him the said Bettesworth as his substitute to perform his tour for the sum of fifty pounds in Continental money and whatever pay or emoluments might arise from the campaign. He states that in pursuance of this agreement he went into Westmoreland County in February 1778 and was enrolled in the room of said Drake as his substitute and took the oaths & entered the service there and was placed under the command of Capt. Reuben Brisco [sic: Reuben Briscoe] & Lieut Thomas Pratt Hungerford of
the United States army who both lived in Westmoreland County and who had been permitted to come home on furlough. Supposes he was placed on the roll of the virginia line on continental establishment but being an illiterate private and unacquainted with the history of the war save what he knows by actual service and the reports of his fellow soldiers with whom he associated at that eventful period By Capt Briscoe he was ordered to hold himself ready for marching orders at a moments warning. He states that after being several times called on and again sent back to wait farther orders finally sometime early in May 1778 he was ordered to repair to to a place called Roger’s Ordinary in King George County where he joined some troops raised in the same manner they were marched by those officers to Fredericksburgh [sic: Fredericksburg] Virginia they there remained for 17 days and then on the 3rd of June marched
rapidly across Virginia to Maryland & Pensylvania to Valley forge where the American army was stationed under the command of Genl Washington there he was attatched to capt Briscoes Company of infantry of the third Virginia Regiment commanded by Colo. Heath [sic: William Heth] – Gen’l. Woodfords [William Woodford’s] Brigade his Lieut T P Hungerford his ensign Hawkins his Majors name he has forgotten. He states that shortly after he joined the Army the British evacuated Philadelpha [sic: Philadelphia, 18 Jun 1778] & marched across the Country [to New York]. He states that having drawn uniform clothes arms and rations he was marched with the main army in pursuit of the British and their foraging parties until they were overtaken and the battle of Monmouth was fought on the 28th of June 1778 He states that he was not in that battle owing to his being a raw recruit and his gun out of repair he was with many others placed as guard over the baggage waggons and stationed about 11⁄2 miles distant from the scene of action. He states that after the battle was fought and the dead buried in which about 3 days were spent they were marched to Brunswick during this march they suffered greatly from heat having reached Brunswick they were halted and rested for some time washed their clothes got their
guns repaired and cleansed and rejoiced over the issue of the battle after remaining there some time they marched crossing the North river at Kings ferry to White Plains in the State of New York the British were at this time in New York and Long Island after lying there a considerable time about the beginning of the
fall season the British having sent out a foraging party and Woodfords Brigade were ordered in pursuit both parties crossed North River the same evening at Kings ferry and they pressed the British so closely that they abandoned some beeves they were butchering in an orchard and took to their shipping down the bay after a halt of about a week they were marched to Newark where they lay about a month and from there to Pompton Plains where they were halted a few days from there they were marched through Springfield and Scotch Plains to Middlebrook and there took up winter quarters He states that he lay
th th
there until the 19 of February 1779 his term of sevice having expired on the 10 of that month he was
compelled to wait until others and the officers commanding them were ready on the 19th he with about 600 others whose term of service was out were marched across Pensylvania & Maryland & across the Potomac at Nolands ferry and there in Virginia recieved his discharge but by whom it was signed he does not recollect but thinks it was signed by Genl Woodford & forwarded with the officer who discharged them in Virginia He states that he reached home on the 6th day of March 1779 & farther states that he preserved this written discharge with great care until the year 1783 when he with others were notified to attend at Richmond Va and lay his discharge before the Auditor who would give him a certificate which would entitle him to some arrears of pay. He states that accordingly attended presented it and recieved a certificate that answered the purpose of paying taxes whether his discharge was kept by the Auditor or not he does not know but he never recollects to have seen it since that time but thinks his name will in consequence of this be found on some of the Virginia rolls or Auditors reports On this campaign he states that he served faithfully one year
He further states that after his return he lived with his father in King George until in the year 1780 [the British] came up the Potomac and carried on a predatory warfare carrying of slaves &c & receiving and carrying off slaves who were in the habit of stealing canoes & going to them to prevent this call was made on the Militia of King George and other Counties & he performed a tour of two months but whether as a volunteer of drafted man he cannot recollect they rendezvoused & were stationed at Madox [sic: Mattox] Creek in Westmoreland County Virginia under the command of Captain Butler of Westmoreland Lieut. Bartlett of same County & was appointed a corporal by Capt Butler they were stationed as a guard over the canoes and small craft which had been collected for a considerable distance up and down the river from that point & ran up Madox Creek to keep them out of the reach of the British and negroes he states that he served fully two months in this service as a corporal and was verbally discharged by his Captain Butler He states that he then returned to King George where he continued to reside until about the first of August in the year 1781 he was drafted in the Virginia Militia to go against Cornwallis’ army he states that on the day of the draught they were ordered to march to & hold their rendezvous at Lovells ordinary in King George County which they did and their Company placed under the command of Captain Robert Yates his Lieut was named Alexander. he was there appointed by his Captain a Corporal they were marched for Gloucester Court house Crossed the Rappahanock [sic: Rappahannock] River at Leedstown & through Essex and Middlesex Counties at Gloucester they joined the army his Colonel was [William] Campbell by whom he was appointed fugleman [soldier posted as a model for others during drill] to the regiment his brigade was Commanded by Gen’l. Weeden [sic: George Weedon]. They were marched down the Country and lay at a mill for some time the name of which he has forgotten from there they were marched against the British at the Siege of York. Gen’l. Weedens Brigade was stationed at Glocester town and there the applicant continued during the siege performing the duties of a soldier & corporal He states that he does not think there were any regular troops stationed at the encampment on the Gloucester side but French and he did not learn the names of their officers. he states that there was a company of Militia Grenadiers formed who were commanded by Colo. Mercer of Virginia. He states that during the siege he had in common with that brave army many trials and hardships to endure they were poorly supplied with provisions, were very sickly & almost continually on Picket Guard and constant watching. He states that during the siege the British made a sortie & with about 300 horse and a regiment of infantry approached the American lines Weedens
Brigade was put in motion to meet them & marched forward with two small field pieces to oppose them but while marching they were passed by about 40 French Dragoons some mounted Milia and Mercers Corps of Grenadiers who dashed forward in advance of the army encountered them and put them to flight killing their colonel &c & taking 2 of the Queens Rangers prisoner before Weedens brigade got near enough to take part in the engagement. He states that his company with himself was part of a corps sent in the night to surprise and take the British Fort on the Gloucester side the Corps was commanded by some French officers and the corps having the darkness & silence marched within gunshot of the fort
were discovered to the British by the accidental firing a some militia soldiers gun the fort opened their guns on them and they were compelled to make a precipitate retreat much to their regret but after the surrender & they had an opportunity of examining the manner of its fortification they were glad that it terminated as it did for their reception would have been bloody and greatly destructive if not fatal He states that he remained faithfully and actively engaged in the service until the British surrendered [19 Oct 1781] assisted sometime in Guarding them there and on the road to Gloucester Courthouse but being sick was discharged by the officer of the Guards Verbally near Gloucester Courthouse Verbally but if he then knew the name of the officer he has since for forgotten it as the proceedings of the army were carried with much irregularity in the midst of the general rejoicing he states that this was about the last of October and that on this campain he served fully 3 months and was a Corporal & fugleman during the time as stated above. He was carried home by some of his friends & lay sick for about 7 weeks. He continued to live in King George County until the year 1782 when he settled in Westmoreland County Virginia where he lived until the spring of the year 1807 when he moved to & settled in Bottetourt [sic: Botetourt] County Virginia where he lived till the fall of 1814 when he moved to Green County Kentucky he lived there
until the year 1817 when he moved to Adair County where he now lives
He states that he served in the regular army one year as a substitute, and on his own account in the militia of Virginia 5 months a corporal and for those two last mentioned tours has no documentary evidence of any kind nor does he know of any living witness by whom he can his actual service on those tours
He states that William Settles Sen’r. who is his neighbor who was born in King George County & lived there during the time this service was performed can from long acquaintance with this applicant can prove his character as a man of veracity and that it was commonly reported in King George County by the neighbors & soldiers that he served as he states
He hereby relinquishes all and every claim to any pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state Charles hisXmark Bettisworth
NOTE: On 26 May 1834 Charles “Bettsworth” applied to have his pension transferred to Illinois, having moved to Hancock County for the following reason: “most of his children having removed to Illinois induced him to visit it and he was so well pleased with the country that he moved to it.” His son, Evin Bettisworth, stated that he had been present when his father drew his pension in Kentucky.
Was born in Virginia in 1761.
He enlisted when only eighteen years of age, three years after the battle of Lexington, and served until the close of the war of the Virginia line of troops.
He came to Illinois at an early date, settling in Hancock County, where he died June 12, 1842.
~~~~~~~~~
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters
Pension Application of Charles Bettisworth (Bettsworth) S32117 Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Kentucky Adair County SS
On this 1st day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the justices of the Adair
County Court being a Court of record now sitting Charles Bettesworth aged seventy one years on the 23th
day of next month who being first duly 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 7th 1832 He states that he was
th
born on the 23 day of November 1761 in the parish of Washington and County of King George in the
state of Virginia he does not know whether there was any record or register made of his age
He states that he resided there until the winter of 1777 – 1778 when he entered the service of the United State and became a soldier of the revolutionary army under the following circumstances. the state of Virginia being called on to raise troops and furnish her quota of the United States army ordered a draft to be made amongst her enrolled militia and amongst the number drawn for Westmoreland County Virginia was a certain Richard Drake who was drafted for 12 months on the 10th of February 1778 who not wishing to go hired him the said Bettesworth as his substitute to perform his tour for the sum of fifty pounds in Continental money and whatever pay or emoluments might arise from the campaign. He states that in pursuance of this agreement he went into Westmoreland County in February 1778 and was enrolled in the room of said Drake as his substitute and took the oaths & entered the service there and was placed under the command of Capt. Reuben Brisco [sic: Reuben Briscoe] & Lieut Thomas Pratt Hungerford of
the United States army who both lived in Westmoreland County and who had been permitted to come home on furlough. Supposes he was placed on the roll of the virginia line on continental establishment but being an illiterate private and unacquainted with the history of the war save what he knows by actual service and the reports of his fellow soldiers with whom he associated at that eventful period By Capt Briscoe he was ordered to hold himself ready for marching orders at a moments warning. He states that after being several times called on and again sent back to wait farther orders finally sometime early in May 1778 he was ordered to repair to to a place called Roger’s Ordinary in King George County where he joined some troops raised in the same manner they were marched by those officers to Fredericksburgh [sic: Fredericksburg] Virginia they there remained for 17 days and then on the 3rd of June marched
rapidly across Virginia to Maryland & Pensylvania to Valley forge where the American army was stationed under the command of Genl Washington there he was attatched to capt Briscoes Company of infantry of the third Virginia Regiment commanded by Colo. Heath [sic: William Heth] – Gen’l. Woodfords [William Woodford’s] Brigade his Lieut T P Hungerford his ensign Hawkins his Majors name he has forgotten. He states that shortly after he joined the Army the British evacuated Philadelpha [sic: Philadelphia, 18 Jun 1778] & marched across the Country [to New York]. He states that having drawn uniform clothes arms and rations he was marched with the main army in pursuit of the British and their foraging parties until they were overtaken and the battle of Monmouth was fought on the 28th of June 1778 He states that he was not in that battle owing to his being a raw recruit and his gun out of repair he was with many others placed as guard over the baggage waggons and stationed about 11⁄2 miles distant from the scene of action. He states that after the battle was fought and the dead buried in which about 3 days were spent they were marched to Brunswick during this march they suffered greatly from heat having reached Brunswick they were halted and rested for some time washed their clothes got their
guns repaired and cleansed and rejoiced over the issue of the battle after remaining there some time they marched crossing the North river at Kings ferry to White Plains in the State of New York the British were at this time in New York and Long Island after lying there a considerable time about the beginning of the
fall season the British having sent out a foraging party and Woodfords Brigade were ordered in pursuit both parties crossed North River the same evening at Kings ferry and they pressed the British so closely that they abandoned some beeves they were butchering in an orchard and took to their shipping down the bay after a halt of about a week they were marched to Newark where they lay about a month and from there to Pompton Plains where they were halted a few days from there they were marched through Springfield and Scotch Plains to Middlebrook and there took up winter quarters He states that he lay
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there until the 19 of February 1779 his term of sevice having expired on the 10 of that month he was
compelled to wait until others and the officers commanding them were ready on the 19th he with about 600 others whose term of service was out were marched across Pensylvania & Maryland & across the Potomac at Nolands ferry and there in Virginia recieved his discharge but by whom it was signed he does not recollect but thinks it was signed by Genl Woodford & forwarded with the officer who discharged them in Virginia He states that he reached home on the 6th day of March 1779 & farther states that he preserved this written discharge with great care until the year 1783 when he with others were notified to attend at Richmond Va and lay his discharge before the Auditor who would give him a certificate which would entitle him to some arrears of pay. He states that accordingly attended presented it and recieved a certificate that answered the purpose of paying taxes whether his discharge was kept by the Auditor or not he does not know but he never recollects to have seen it since that time but thinks his name will in consequence of this be found on some of the Virginia rolls or Auditors reports On this campaign he states that he served faithfully one year
He further states that after his return he lived with his father in King George until in the year 1780 [the British] came up the Potomac and carried on a predatory warfare carrying of slaves &c & receiving and carrying off slaves who were in the habit of stealing canoes & going to them to prevent this call was made on the Militia of King George and other Counties & he performed a tour of two months but whether as a volunteer of drafted man he cannot recollect they rendezvoused & were stationed at Madox [sic: Mattox] Creek in Westmoreland County Virginia under the command of Captain Butler of Westmoreland Lieut. Bartlett of same County & was appointed a corporal by Capt Butler they were stationed as a guard over the canoes and small craft which had been collected for a considerable distance up and down the river from that point & ran up Madox Creek to keep them out of the reach of the British and negroes he states that he served fully two months in this service as a corporal and was verbally discharged by his Captain Butler He states that he then returned to King George where he continued to reside until about the first of August in the year 1781 he was drafted in the Virginia Militia to go against Cornwallis’ army he states that on the day of the draught they were ordered to march to & hold their rendezvous at Lovells ordinary in King George County which they did and their Company placed under the command of Captain Robert Yates his Lieut was named Alexander. he was there appointed by his Captain a Corporal they were marched for Gloucester Court house Crossed the Rappahanock [sic: Rappahannock] River at Leedstown & through Essex and Middlesex Counties at Gloucester they joined the army his Colonel was [William] Campbell by whom he was appointed fugleman [soldier posted as a model for others during drill] to the regiment his brigade was Commanded by Gen’l. Weeden [sic: George Weedon]. They were marched down the Country and lay at a mill for some time the name of which he has forgotten from there they were marched against the British at the Siege of York. Gen’l. Weedens Brigade was stationed at Glocester town and there the applicant continued during the siege performing the duties of a soldier & corporal He states that he does not think there were any regular troops stationed at the encampment on the Gloucester side but French and he did not learn the names of their officers. he states that there was a company of Militia Grenadiers formed who were commanded by Colo. Mercer of Virginia. He states that during the siege he had in common with that brave army many trials and hardships to endure they were poorly supplied with provisions, were very sickly & almost continually on Picket Guard and constant watching. He states that during the siege the British made a sortie & with about 300 horse and a regiment of infantry approached the American lines Weedens
Brigade was put in motion to meet them & marched forward with two small field pieces to oppose them but while marching they were passed by about 40 French Dragoons some mounted Milia and Mercers Corps of Grenadiers who dashed forward in advance of the army encountered them and put them to flight killing their colonel &c & taking 2 of the Queens Rangers prisoner before Weedens brigade got near enough to take part in the engagement. He states that his company with himself was part of a corps sent in the night to surprise and take the British Fort on the Gloucester side the Corps was commanded by some French officers and the corps having the darkness & silence marched within gunshot of the fort
were discovered to the British by the accidental firing a some militia soldiers gun the fort opened their guns on them and they were compelled to make a precipitate retreat much to their regret but after the surrender & they had an opportunity of examining the manner of its fortification they were glad that it terminated as it did for their reception would have been bloody and greatly destructive if not fatal He states that he remained faithfully and actively engaged in the service until the British surrendered [19 Oct 1781] assisted sometime in Guarding them there and on the road to Gloucester Courthouse but being sick was discharged by the officer of the Guards Verbally near Gloucester Courthouse Verbally but if he then knew the name of the officer he has since for forgotten it as the proceedings of the army were carried with much irregularity in the midst of the general rejoicing he states that this was about the last of October and that on this campain he served fully 3 months and was a Corporal & fugleman during the time as stated above. He was carried home by some of his friends & lay sick for about 7 weeks. He continued to live in King George County until the year 1782 when he settled in Westmoreland County Virginia where he lived until the spring of the year 1807 when he moved to & settled in Bottetourt [sic: Botetourt] County Virginia where he lived till the fall of 1814 when he moved to Green County Kentucky he lived there
until the year 1817 when he moved to Adair County where he now lives
He states that he served in the regular army one year as a substitute, and on his own account in the militia of Virginia 5 months a corporal and for those two last mentioned tours has no documentary evidence of any kind nor does he know of any living witness by whom he can his actual service on those tours
He states that William Settles Sen’r. who is his neighbor who was born in King George County & lived there during the time this service was performed can from long acquaintance with this applicant can prove his character as a man of veracity and that it was commonly reported in King George County by the neighbors & soldiers that he served as he states
He hereby relinquishes all and every claim to any pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state Charles hisXmark Bettisworth
NOTE: On 26 May 1834 Charles “Bettsworth” applied to have his pension transferred to Illinois, having moved to Hancock County for the following reason: “most of his children having removed to Illinois induced him to visit it and he was so well pleased with the country that he moved to it.” His son, Evin Bettisworth, stated that he had been present when his father drew his pension in Kentucky.
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