State of Georgia, Decatur County

On the 11th day of December 1845 personally appeared in open court before the Court of the said County now sitting Joel Darcy a resident of Decatur County State of Georgia aged 80 or 81years, who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States and served under the following named officers, Captain William Young, David Imanuel [sic, David Emanuel], John Whitiker [sic, Whitaker?] & Abner Beckham (Becken), Colonel John Twiggs, Elijah Clarke [Elijah Clark], (Colonel) Few [Benjamin Few], Sumpter [sic, Thomas Sumter], Morgan [Daniel Morgan], Wayne [Anthony Wayne], &c. I joined Colonel John Twiggs' command at Augusta Georgia in the Spring of 1779 (headquarters, Beach Island) and served faithfully to the close of the war 1783. That he may give a more full account of his service he further declares that he was living in Burke County Georgia (now Jefferson) in 1778, that while at Colonel John Twiggs' Mills in said County to get some corn ground, he was taken by the Tories and carried to Savannah Georgia, put in prison and kept by the British till January or February 1779 when by making fair promises he was let out by the British and remained with them till the 15th day of April 1779 – (15 miles above Savannah at Abacorn?1). That himself and a man by the name of __ Moore left; that they lay in the woods by the day and traveled by night till they came to Hudson's ferry on the Savannah River. After laying hid for some time deponent saw a man that he knew from Glynn County Georgia, this man told Captain Stephen Johnson who he was, and he had him sat [sic, sent?] across the River and fed, as they were nearly starved. That he proceeded to Augusta Georgia, and joined Colonel John Twiggs' command which then consisted of a few militia of Burke County Georgia. He had Captain William Young, David Emanuel with him and about fifty men at the most, but often not more than thirty, as the most of them had families to provide for in the country. Our headquarters was on Beach Island below Augusta. That in the summer of 1779 the British had established a Store at the Ogeechee Bridge (about 20 miles from Savannah) to trade with the Indians & Tories. This store was guarded by a British Sergeant and 12 men. Colonel Twiggs took Captain David Emanuel & William Young & about thirty men of us, mounted our horses, headed [illegible word]2 River, rode all night before he reached the Store, came upon the Store & guard at daylight in the morning, captured them, and retreated up the River about 4 miles to Butler's plantation with our prisoners. About two o'clock (PM) same day, we were attacked at Butler's plantation by Captain Muller & Lieutenant Swanton, with 39 men. We lift five of our men to guard the prisoners in Butler's house, and commenced a fight in the lane in front of the house. Captain Muller and six men were killed on the ground. Lieut. Swanton badly wounded and many other of his

1 probably Abercorn Georgia

2

men, and all the balance taken prisoner. A flag was sent to Savannah that night, in the morning a British Surgeon came out and dressed the wounds of their men, and one of our men, who had his leg broken. We stayed at Butler's plantation for two days and exchanged our prisoners for men received from the British. We then returned to our post – (Beach Island) about 120 miles from the Store (destroyed). Soon after Colonel Twiggs' returned, Colonel McGirt [Daniel McGirt] of the Tories came from Florida with 50 or 60 men to drive Colonel Twiggs from Burke County – that said McGirt burnt Roger Lawson's house and ravaged the Country at Lawson's (now Louisville). That Colonel John Twiggs sent this deponent to lay in the woods, and watch the trails in the vicinity of Lawson's plantation. This deponent was well acquainted in that vicinity it being near his Mother's [house]. On the second night he discovered the Tories, and informed Colonel Twiggs [of] the course they had taken. Colonel Twiggs went in pursuit of the Tories at daylight. He had a battle with them. Amongst the men Colonel Twiggs captured at this time were (Saml) Mangrum & Harry Gill which Colonel Twiggs hung for their outrage on Lawson's family. Our post at this time was removed to Spirit Creek between Augusta & Savannah. In the winter of 1780 Colonel Twiggs took Captain Young, David Emanuel and about 25 men, deponent was one of that number, [&] marched into Indian country on the waters of the Ohoopie [sic, Ohoopee] River, since called Washington County Georgia, here we had a fight with about 100 Indians; took 16 Indians prisoners. These [prisoners] Colonel Twiggs exchanged for women that the Indians had prisoners. Colonel Twiggs about this time took his family from Burke County to Virginia. Colonel Elijah Clark took the command on Tyger River South Carolina early in September 1781. Col. Clark made an attack on Colonel Brown [Thomas Brown] in Augusta Georgia. Col. Cruger [John Harris Cruger] came to Brown's relief from 96 South Carolina and drove us off on the 11th day of September 1781 [sic, 1780] after being engaged in battle through the day. This deponent went to see his Mother a few hours (who had moved out of Burke County on to Butler's Creek about 6 miles from Augusta Georgia). She said to him “My son, you have been in many battles and you are 16 years old this very day.” After being drove from Augusta, we marched through the woods 11 or 12 days (living on nuts (except one deer)) to Kings Mountain. We arrived at Colonel Sevier's [John Sevier's] post about the time Campbell [William Campbell] & Sevier had captured the British at that Mountain [October 7, 1780]. Col. Campbell (I think was his name) was shot in the breast and killed.

3 From Kings Mountain, about 20 of us went to a Fort on the head [waters] above Catawba River to guard it against the Indians where we remained a few weeks under Captain Abner Beckham. From there we joined Col. Clark and about 150 of us had a fight on what was called Hogskin Creek, took Major Dunlap's horse company & Captain Swanton & 76 men. Swenson was the same man that Colonel Twiggs took at Butler's plantation on the Ogeechee River about two years before when we destroyed the British Store. Swanton said he would never fight America any more, that this was his Country &c. Captain Beckham, Emanuel & Duhart [?] found Col or Genl Sumpter [Thomas Sumter] at Blackstock's Ford on Tyger River (South Carolina) [November 20, 1780]. Deponent and 11 others of us was sent out by Sumter to get Subsistence. A man by the name of Candler (whom we used to call Col Candler) [was] in command of the detachment, we went out on the East side of the River; we fell in with Colonel Tarlton's [sic, Banastre Tarleton's] baggage train, captured it, and drove with all dispatch possible for Col Sumter's camp, drove all night and the next day a little before night, we arrived at Sumter's post. Deponent was sent across the River with the wagons. In 15 minutes after we arrived Colonel Tarleton arrived, charged on Sumter's camp but was defeated. Colonel Sumter was badly wounded; Col. Clark took the command of us, we went to Augusta Georgia [&] stormed Grierson's Fort and took Brown's [fort] [Siege of Augusta, May 22-June 6, 1781]. After we took Augusta or before (deponent is not sure which) we joined Col Morgan [Daniel Morgan] at the Cowpens (SC). Col Morgan sent a man by the name of James Devers & deponent up on Catawba River near the Pleasen

3 Applicant is mistaken. Col. Campbell survived the battle. The highest ranking officer wounded at King's Mountain who died the next day from his wounds was Col. James Williams of the South Carolina militia.

Gardings [sic, Pleasant Gardens] (so called) to General McDowell's [Charles McDowell's] post for to get a reinforcement of men. This Deponent & Devers returned to Morgan's post just as the battle was over with Tarleton [Battle of Cowpens, January 17, 1781]. That they got within hearing of the guns but did not arrive in time to be in the battle. Shortly after this battle, the militia joined General John Twiggs who had been promoted from Colonel to General. That we had several skirmishes with Colonel Cunningham of the Tories. General Twiggs with a part of his command joined General Wayne [Anthony Wayne]. General Wayne chose deponent as one of his foot guards (at Ebenezer, 25 miles from Savannah) on account of his good shooting at the target. Our duty was (25 on foot under Captain Abner Beckham) to guard Colonel James Jackson's cavalry to prevent them from being waylaid as they were reconnoitering the Country around Savannah. After the evacuation of Savannah by the British, deponent was with General Twiggs to drive Colonel McGirt from (SC) and Georgia. That in 1783 General Twiggs commenced repairing his mills in Burke County Georgia & deponent went to work on his mother's farm but for some time after it was considered the revolutionary war was over, the Indians & Tories would come out in to Burke County Georgia and plunder. General Twiggs would gather up his old Soldiers and drive them off into Florida. The war closed in such a way that the militia of Georgia did not but a few of them get a regular discharge. Deponent was in the field as long as there was any fighting to be done – (a short time after the war was over) sometime in the year after the war closed there was a day appointed for those that were entitled to bounty lands from the State of Georgia to get their certificates so as to draw their Lands. Deponent went to (Col Twiggs) or to General Twiggs in March 1784 and procured a certificate that he had served faithfully and was entitled to bounty Lands. That this deponent sold his certificate to Micajah Hinton. This deponent does solemnly declare that he faithfully served his Country in the field as a private Soldier from the time he ran away from the British April 15, 1779 till the close of the war 1783. That he never has applied to the Government of the United States for a Pension, that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in the United States at this time.

That this deponent is the son of Joseph Darcy. I was born in North Carolina 1764 or5 as by record of memory (only) that all the papers & records of his deceased father was destroyed by the Tories (as we expected) in the Revolutionary War, all my own Papers & Records was burnt up in my house in Decatur County Georgia in 1830, my brothers that lived to be men were James, Joseph, Benjamin, William & Joel Darcy were all Soldiers in the revolutionary war. Joseph Darcy lived in North Carolina when he entered the Service of the United States. He was captured on Brushy Creek by the Tories, carried to Charleston (S. C.) and died in the prison ship at Charleston 1780 or 1781 – James Darcy (my brother) was a Lieutenant (drafted) stationed in Savannah before Colonel Mateland [?] came to take Savannah, he served as a Lieutenant for several years; that he settled, and died in Lawrence County Georgia. William Darcy (my brother) was in the service during the revolutionary war; served to the end of same; he settled and died in Lawrence County Georgia. Benjamin Darcy (my brother) was in the revolutionary war several years; settled in Lawrence County Georgia. Joel Darcy, this deponent, settled in Burke County Georgia at the close of the war, to the part of the County where he lived was divided from Burke and called Jefferson County, that he continued to live there till 1825; removed to Decatur County Georgia where he now resides; that he is the identical person named in an original certificate or copy of one given by Gen. John Twiggs to this deponent dated March 4th, 1784, which copy he here with presents to accompany this declaration . That he never had any other discharge than General Twiggs' certificate. That he knows of no living witness whereby he can prove his services by – that he appoints General John Du Val of Leon County Florida his true and lawful Attorney for to collect his Pension from the Government of the United States, to receipt for the same to any pension Agent of the United States as fully as I might or could if personally present – That he answers to the question of who of my neighbors can testify as to their belief of my being a revolutionary Soldier this deponent gives the names of James Patterson, William Kemp, William Donaldson, Alexander Douglas, Daniel O'Neal & Hugh Ingram, all of whom have been acquainted

with him in Burke (and Jefferson) (except Daniel O'Neal) County Georgia. Also are now acquainted with him in Decatur County Georgia (that he volunteered when he joined Colonel Twiggs (1779)). That he would respectfully refer the court to any man in the County with whom I am acquainted as to my character for truth and veracity.

S/ Joel Darsey, X his mark

Sworn & subscribed the 11th day of December 1845 in open court before me.

S/ John T. Smith, clerk S.C.D.C.

[William H. Cassels, a clergyman, and James Byrd and Daniel O'Neel gave the standard supporting affidavit.] [John Slade, another clergyman, stated that he agreed with the other affiants regarding said Darcy.]

[p 14]

Executive Department Georgia

Milledgeville 22nd of May 1846

This is to Certify that the records of this Department exhibit the fact that Joel Darcy received a Certificate for 250 acres of Land as a "Citizen Soldier" under the Act of the General Assembly of this State passed 20th of August 1781. And also that he received a Certificate as a "Refugee" under the Resolution of the General Assembly of this state passed 12th January 1782.

Given under my hand and the seal of the Executive Department at the Capital in Milledgeville this 23rd May 1846.

S/ James U Horne,

Secretary of Executive Department

[p 23]

Copy

These are to certify that Joel Darcy hath steadfastly done his duty as a Soldier, during his Refugeeship and is hereby entitled to his bounty land.

Certified this 4th day of March 1784

By John Twiggs, M.

[p 27]

Darcy's Plantation

Decatur County May 7, 1846

Sir –

Your communication to General John P Du Val in regard to my claim for a Pension has been made known to me – I am old and forgetful, but the events of my youth are still before me – One objection you notice is that I have neglected to call for it before &c. this objection I can answer. I am not a man of Education. My Country had my services, and the Tories my school house when I should have been to school. This loss is the greatest I ever knew – when 14 years old [indecipherable word or words]4 from a widowed mother, put in prison her property destroyed – broke up – because her sons were among the Rebbils [rebels], – Returned at 20, All was waist [waste], not fince [fence], furniture, nor provisions, – I worked my way through all my poverty to the present time, and through the blessings of God I have had a plenty of this world's goods to make me comfortable through life. I have lived where I now live for twenty years had but little or no information upon anything relating to the laws of Congress. I have been told by some for the last 10 years that I could get a Pension – but not by anyone that could tell me how to get it – Some said I had to [too] much property Some because I had

4 possibly: "I [was] taken"----that would fit the context

not a discharge. I could not get my pension &c., when I had my health and Strength I did not care for my Pension, but I have chosen to ask for it – as my own business and it is strange that my claim has become the worst because the Government has had my money unasked for – I could give other reasons why I want it now but they would be to [too] lengthy –

Again you say it has not escaped notice that through the long narrative of events not one case compares with the militia Service of Georgia &c. This expression has called forth this letter to you – I would yet abide by the laws of my country, and not be disregardful of those in high places, but I cannot [word obliterated by damage to the paper] what I consider an injury done my word, I have stated Lengthy how I came in service where I went who I was under at what Battles I fault and the reply is not one incident corresponds &c I asked your Attention to my Evidence again and the defeats pointed out – I do not know as all my dates correspond at the time the battles were fought. I testified to them according to the best of my knowledge – but this much I do know That I was active in duty and fighting for my Country at Ogeechee, Butler's Plantation, against McGirt near Spirit Creek – against the Indians and or near what is now Washington County Georgia, at Cunningham's (or Cunnikins) against the Tories, at Augusta under Clark – with Sumter Blackshere Ford (on Tyger River South Carolina) against Tarleton, was own Express that day when Morgan had the fight at the battle of the Cowpens – and those Self Governed men as you call them that came out of the Swamps of Georgia are the very ones that killed the most of Tarleton's men but a few of the officers had the fame – back to Augusta Stormed Grayson's & Brown's Fort went to Savannah was under Wayne & Jackson, after the taking of Savannah back to Burke County under (Col.) General Twiggs and when the General I am very respectfully

Sir – your Obedient Servant

S/ Joel Darcy, X his mark

Mr. J. L. Edwards,

Commissioner of Pensions

[p 36]

Tallahassee September 21st, 1849

Sir

An old gentleman has called upon me from Decatur County Georgia by the name of Joel Darcy to see if I could put him in the way of obtaining his pension Certificate, as a revolutionary pensioner – he states that some years since he employed Mr. Blood to get it for him but that he had done nothing – I consented to lay his case before you and if anything could be done, would let him know. He appears very old and infirm, his story is as follows – That when a boy [he] was well acquainted with Major John Twiggs, who lived in and owned a mill in Burke County Georgia, that when the Revolutionary War broke out, three of his Brothers went into the service, leaving him with his Mother in Burke County. That soon after the British took Savannah [December 29, 1778] he was at Twiggs Mill to get some corn ground and then the Tories came there and took him, said his brothers were rebels, and they would carry him to Savannah which they did, and put him in prison, which was in the fall of the year, that he remained there until he nearly perished from the cold, when a British officer saw him holding his hands through the grates to warm them in the sun, told him he was in a bad way, and if he would enlist he would give him five guineas and a suit of clothes, he did enlist, and remained with the British from someday in the winter until the 15th of April 1779, when he ran away from them at Abacorn, near Savannah, and returned and joined Col. John Twiggs, who had been promoted or was soon to rank of Col.. That Col. Twiggs post was on Beach Island Georgia their next station was at Briar Creek, that they had many engagements in Georgia, that he was in the battle when Augusta was taken by the British & Tories, that soon after Col. Twiggs went with his command into the Carolinas, Col. Twiggs went to Virginia with his family leaving his command with Col. Elijah Clark & Col. Few, that Few & Clark marched back to Georgia, attacked the Fort at Augusta, Capt up the siege for many days, that the

British came up from Ninety Six and drove them off, that they marched against Ferguson, was at King's mountain the day after Ferguson was killed, and his Army captured, was with Sumter & Morgan – General Twiggs returned and took command of his old soldiers, and marched back to Augusta, besieged it many days & took the place – that they then went down to or near Savannah, was under General Wayne until he got permission to go home to Burke County to get some close that before his furlough was out, General Twiggs came up to Burke County, said the British had left Savannah, and he remained under General Twiggs until the close of the war. That he actually was in service of his Country, every day from the time he joined Col. Twiggs in April the spring after Cornwallis took Savannah, until the British evacuated that place, that he did much duty afterwards under General Twiggs against the Tories and Indians, but this was not steady service that he tried to make a crop on his mother's place, but was often called out to defend the frontiers, that he served as a soldier from before he was 16, constantly until after he was 20 years of age, that he received bounty land from the State of Georgia. From the character of which those who have known Mr. Darcy for many years give him, and from the way he tells his story, I am inclined to give him full credit for honesty and truth, and have no doubt that he was in the service for more than 3 years – below find a certificate of 2 of our older citizens, and respectable merchants of this place if from what you have before learned with regard to his merits, with the above statement anything can be done for him please inform me.

Respectfully yours

S/ F. H. Flagg, Pen. Agt.

J. L. Edwards, Esq. Comr. of Pension

[p 17: letter dated December 22, 1852 makes reference to Elizabeth Dassey [sic] widow of Joel Dassey [sic]

[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $40 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for service as a private for one-year in the Georgia service.]