Fort William Henry Massacre

This is a 3 generation family. William's son John Torrey is listed below fighting Bunker Hill. John's son Orange Torrey fought 3 days in the War of 1812 at the Battle of Niagara trying to help civilians to get away from the fighting. On the other side of the Battle of Niagara is my Loyalist Johan George Claus listed below when he was quite old.

Fort Ticonderoga

Joseph Richardson is listed with brother-in-law John Wise in the 5 Dec 1758 muster roll of the 11th Company Capt Joshua Barker in 2nd regiment by Colonel Nathan Whiting

The primary goal of the British campaign was to capture Fort Carillon (later renamed Fort Ticonderoga). They lost against a much smaller French force. The assault was a catastrophic failure, resulting in the highest casualties of the entire war. The British retreated in disarray, leaving the French with a significant and surprising victory.

16 Apr 1761 to 4 Dec 1761 he was in the 8th Company Cap Azel Fitch of 2nd regiment Colonel Nathan Whiting The regiment participated in the British occupation of Crown Point, New York. Major hostilities on the continent had largely ceased

His son Roswell served in the Revolutionary War. He served 26 May 1777 -26 May 1780 9th Connecticut Regiment. He served under Capt Wooster's Company of Colonel Samuel B Web

Battle of Bunkers Hill

He then served in Capt Ephraim Carpenter Company Hosford's CT Regiment ((march by order to East Chester Sept 1776) with brother-in-law Roswell Richardson 3 months

He served in 1777 no details given

Battle of Monmouth

He served summer and fall of 1777, Fort Edward, January 1778,
McCracken’s companies were stationed in Saratoga, early spring 1778, the entire regiment was ordered south to Fishkill, New York, just as the Main army’s winter encampment at Valley Forge, PA was winding down. Washington himself redirected them to join him at Valley Forge shortly before the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse on June 28, 1778. After that he was deployed to the Hudson Highlands and engaged in raids against the Iroquois in the upper Mohawk Valley.

Vermont Constitution

As a physician: Dr Smith was paid 1.10.0 1775 for doctoring to Capt William Fitch company in Colonel Warner's Regiment. Page 402 he was listed as Doc Guv Smith and served in Capt. Ebenezer Wood's company of Colonel Ebenezer Walbridge's Regiment of Militia. It starts 31 Jul 1781 for 3 days paid 1.16.8 He was paid the most other than Wood. Another entry was page 404 as surgeon 2-4 Aug 1781 30 miles paid 1.10.0 .

Abraham Kuykendall

Abraham Kuykendall grave

Beginning in 1775, he served as a Captain of a Safety Committee which governed old Tryon County. Captain Kuykendall also served as Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions and Justice of the Peace for the area that eventually became Rutherford County. He was in his 56 in 1775.

In the Tryon Militia 1778-1779, as a Captain of Dragoons under Col. Charles McLean. In 1779, it n split and Abraham now is a Captain in the Rutherford County Regiment of Militia under Col. Andrew Hampton and Col. Robert Porter. Abraham was at Earle's Ford SC.

Earle's Ford

He was a Lieutenant under his father-in-law Captain Abraham Kuykendall. He was at Earle's Ford SC.

Robert is also listed in Revolutionary History of NC as petitioning the state for reimbursement of a rifle and stolen horse by Tories.

Many of the McMinns and Kuykendalls would serve in the War of 1812. Jesse & William McMinn, Joseph Brandon. James Kurkendall, John Gentry served in the 1st Reg't Metcalfe's in the Western TN Militia and from Franklin County James McMinn 2nd Reg't Mounted Gunmen (Williameon's) Tennessee Volunteers

John Nunnally gave Revolutionary War support: "to Francis Smith Commr. 1778 Beef 225 lb. fodder 500 lb".
John's son Archelaus Nunnally served in the 1st and 11th Continental Regiments. He was part of the Virginia militia and was a recipient of land bounty after the war, with records showing he purchased 200 acres in 1792.

Surrender of Augusta 1781

"On the 8th day of September in the year 1832 personally appeared before Jacob M. Bewly an acting Justice of the Peace of said County Maximilian Conner, a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged 69 years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions by the acts of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he was drafted and entered in the service of the militia of South Carolina in the District of Ninety Six in the year of 1779, under the command of Colonel Williamson Andrew Williamson] of said District; marched to Augusta from thence on towards Savannah; but some distance below Augusta, we were met by the British & Tories, forced to retreat, recross[ed] the River at Augusta, they in pursuit until they came to said place, which they took in possession. How long I continued in the service under Colonel Williamson I am not able to state; but I continued the term of the draft, which I believe was three months; although it may have been six months, and for this service I received a discharge: but not considering it of any value, took no care of it.
In the year 1780, immediately after the taking of Charleston I entered the service again as a Volunteer under the command of Captain Major Parsons and continued in the Service, under his command until the close of the War, after the taking of Cornwallis in 1781 [Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown on October 19, 1781]. In this Service under Captain Parsons I was engaged sometimes against the Tories & at other times against the Tories & British. To repeat here the many rencounters & skirmishes with the Tories I deem needless, the History of that day and in that particular District, will show the particulars & trying scenes with the Whigs]. I was with Captain Parsons at the Battle of the Blackstocks [November 20, 1780], under the command of Colonel Thomas Sumter, I was also at the Siege of Augusta,1 attached to Colonel Shelby's [Isaac Shelby’s] Regiment & in a scrimmage at Briar Creek with the Tories. I was also at the Eutaw Springs [September 8, 1781] on the day of the battle, but not in time to join Nathanael Greene’s Army in the engagement. Captain Parsons, 3 others & myself being sent to Greene’s Army to procure ammunition. I have no knowledge of receiving a discharge, but after War, I received from the State a Certificate of my Services, which I sold at a discount, of 10 for one. The services as above performed under Captain Parsons & Colonel Williamson I am confident make in the whole a period of Two Years Many of the persons who were with me in the Service above mentioned are dead. I havet annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the Agency of any State."

Landrum Book

His daughter Rachel's who was captured by the Indians, first husband John Watkins was killed by the Tories 1782-3. Her second husband served in the Revolutionary War.

Surrender of Lord Cornwallis

James' brother Rev David Rice served as a chaplain and orator to the Hanover militia.

James' brother William B Rice was an adventurer having gone on an expedition with Daniel Boone prewar and then served in the Revolutionary War 5 years: 3 years in the north and 2 years in the south, ending at Yorktown. "I William B Rice of the County of Muhlenberg and Commonwealth of Kentucky in the 75th year of my age depose, testify and declare That in the month of January 1776 I entered under Captain William Campbell (afterwards General Campbell) in the 1st Virginia State Regiment commanded by Colonel Patrick Henry under the direction of the Committee of Safety which was afterwards commanded by Colonel William Christian. On the 1st day of August 1776, I enlisted for three years as Sergeant in the Continental service in the 1st Virginia Regiment under Lieutenant Alexander Cummins the Captain William Lynn, being absent I was then marched to the northern Army under Lieutenant Colonel John Green & under the last arrangement was in Major Richard C. Anderson's Company the Company commanded by Captain Lieutenant Holman Minnis and on the 1st day of August 1779, I was discharged as a Sergeant in the State of New York by General Peter Muhlenberg at this time the Regiment was commanded by Colonel B. Ball. I joined the southern Army in 1780 under General Gates and was appointed quarter master pro tem to the 2nd Virginia Regiment by Brigadier General Stephens [Edward Stevens] and left the Army at the close of that Campaign I have been unable to do any labor for many years. I further declare that I am in such reduced circumstances as to need the Assistance of my country for support. I further state that my discharge was filed in the rolls of Virginia and I presume may be found among the records at Richmond Virginia. He was in the north, Battle of Trenton in December 1776, which included the iconic crossing of the Delaware River, at Valley forge, then the south, Battle of Camden, Battle of Guilford Court House, Siege of Yorktown

Battle at Guilford Courthouse

On this 12th day of March 1821 Personally appeared in Open Court, being a court of record, towit, the Superior Court of the said county of Greene and State aforesaid Wommock Blankenship aged sixty eight years, who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth, on his Oath, make the< following declaration, in order to obtain the provisions, made, by the acts of Congress of the 18th of March 1818 and the first May 1829 that he the said Wommock Blankenship enlisted, in the continental service during the Revolutionary War for the term of One year sometime in the month of October 1775 at Richmond in Virginia, in the company commanded by Captain John Warum in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Bullitt in Virginia line on the continental establishment that continued to serve, in said corps for the said Term of one year at the expiration of which, towit in the month of October 1776 after the declaration of Independence. I the said Wommock Blankinship relinlisted for the Term of three years at Williamsburgh [sic: Williamsburg] in the State of Virginia in the company commanded by Captain William Cunningham in the regiment commanded by Colonel Dick Parker [Richard Parker], called the 1st Virginia Regiment on the continental establishment, that he continued to serve, in said corps until the expiration of the said three years at which time he was discharge; which discharge this deponent gave up to Colonel Meriweather [sic: Thomas Meriwether] at Richmond in Virginia sometime in the year 1784 at the Auditors Office, and the said Wommock Blankinship was in the Battle of the great Bridge within 12 miles of Norfolk [9 Dec 1775], and little York, in the early part of the year 1776. The said Blankinship was in the battle of Guins Island in the early part of the year 1776 [sic: Gwynn Island, 8 - 10 Jul 1776] in the latter part of the year 28 Oct 1776 was in the Battle at the White plains at Battle of Brunswick in 1777 was in the battle at Prinitown [sic: Princeton NJ, 3 Jan 1777] and Trenton in 1778 [26 Dec1776]. the said Wommock was in the battles of Iron hill [Cooch’s Bridge DE, 3 Sep 1777] and Brandywine [11 Sep 1777], where I received a wound in my arm. this deponent was also at the battles of Germantown [4 Oct 1777] , Monmouth [28 Jun 1778] and Stony point [16 Jul 1779], where I received a wound in my breast – the dates not recollected he was also in the battles of Guilford in the State of North Carolina [Guilford Courthouse, 15 Mar 1781] and Bakers Hill State of Virginia 6th of July 1781 [see endnote] and after this taken prisoner by the British army and this deponent has no other evidence now in his power of his said services except the affidavit of Nathaniel Christmas, which is herewith enclosed [not found] – And in pursuance of the act of the 1st of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled “an act to provide for certain person engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War” passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed – I have no article at all of any value except my few garments of wearing clothes. I am a farmer by occupation but I am so disabled having received two wounds in the aforesaid battles one in the arm and the other in the breast that I am not able to pursue, it my family consists only of myself and aged wife, and one son with whom we live, and who is scarcely able to maintain himself my wife aged 70 years and my son about 21 years. Wommock hisXmark Blankinship

Johan George Claus

Butlers Ranger Uniform

THE PETITION OF JOHN CLAUS" To His Excellency, Major General Simcoe, Lieut. Govr. Upper Canada Commanding the said Province,
The Petition of John Claus, Humbly Sheweth.
That your Petitioner in July, 1777 joined the army then before Fort Stanwix and brought in Sixty men with me, most of them joined Sir John Johnson's Corps and others Butler's Rangers for the truth of this your Petitioner refers to Captain Brant who is well acquainted with the circumstances. Your Petitioner joined Butler's Rangers and have been in several engagements and taken 5 Prisoners; for the truth of which your Petitioner begs leave to refer to Major John McDonell and for a general Character, in the year 1783 Your Petitioner was sent into the Provinces, now States, to take a Prisoner and gain intelligence by order of Genl. McLean & Col.
Butler, in which expedition your Petitioner was badly wounded and left for dead by the Party suffered for 14 days without fire or anything to eat by wild garlick - since the Peace in the year 1794, your Petitioner was unfortunate in having his Barn and all his grain destroyed by fire, your Petitioner begs Your Excellency to enquire of Major McDonell for the authenticity of what is in general stated by your Petitioner who further Prays that your Excellency May take his situation into consideration and should it appear consistent to grant your Petitioner, an additional bounty of Lands. Your Petitioner as in duty bound Ever Pray.
JOHN CLAUS, An Old Soldier "

He would be the quarter master for a British militia unit in the War of 1812 Battle of Niagara and his son would fight actively in that War. On the American side was Orange Torrey.

Samuel Kinney

Baron Steuben training Continental Army troops at Valley Forge in 1778 by Edwin Austin Abbey

He deserted from the American side on 4 Sep 1780 while in "English Neighborhood", Bergen County, near where Benedict Arnold deserted. He enlisted in Captain Samuel Hayden's Company of the 1st Battalion, King's American Rangers the next day, 5 Sep 1780. The event was documented by both sides. The Americans recorded him as absent and the British reported "Samuel Kenny deserted from Colonel Ogden 3rd Regt. Jersey Light Infantry last Night between eight and Nine O’Clock, at English Neighborhood. They marched yesterday morning at 3 O’Clock, but they have made them come back and put it of[t] until this morning at 3 O’Clock, they were to Cross at Dobbs Ferry, they had Boats that came upon carriages from Kings Ferry and West Point 300 in his Regiment. One poundof Beef and one pound of Flower per day regularly with fresh Meat Yesterday when they were to march. They had no Provision. They are dissatisfied at the French Colours delivered by the Marquis the Americans Particularly."

He was sent to Nova Scotia and then Prince Edward Island for three years. He rose to Sargent and was not involved in fighting. He was granted land in Prince Edward Island at the end of the war. But he then moved to Nova Scotia where he applied for a benefits saying he served 3 years but was turned down - presumably because he had already received land in Prince Edward Island.

In Nova Scotia he married and had a large family. His daughter Hannah Kinney married Hezekiah Hunt a son of Matterson Hunt below. They were parents of my great grandmother Mary Ellen Hunt Williams, who with her husband built the Williams farm house in Vassar MI. Three of Mary Ellens' siblings would immigrate to Michigan and Wiscinsin in addition to her, with four remaining in Canada.

British Evacuation of Charleston

From Jul 12–25,1782 the evacuation of Charleston involved approximately 14,000 people leaving aboard around 130 Royal Navy vessels. This included British troops, Loyalists, and over 5,000 enslaved people from Charleston who sailed to St. Augustine, Bahama Islands, Jamaica, and Canada. The Hunt family went to St. Augustine.

On Sep 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War gave control of East Florida back to Spain and they left St. Augustine on the ship the Argo with their 3 children bound for Nova Scotia. They arrived between 13 and 29 Jul 1784 in Halifax before going to Chedabucto (Guysborough). Governor John Parr wrote on 29 Jul 1784 from Halifax (an apparent reference to the Argo) " a Transport arrived a few days ago from St. Augustine, with 260 miserable Wretches, without a shilling, naked, destitute of almost every necessary of life." They received 350 acres of land from the British Government.