Revolutionary Soldiers Who Once Lived
In Franklin County Illinois

These soldiers lived at some time in Franklin County Illinois
but later moved to another place.


John Chandoin. Of VA., born 1759. Served in the VA. troops. Moved to IL and settled in Franklin Co., but removed to Williamson Co., which was formed from Franklin. Pensioned. Ref: 7

John Duncan. Served as a Private in the Virginia Continental Troops. After the war he removed to Kentucky, and from there to Illinois, then later settling in Clinton Co., IL. Born c1762. Died 1842, and buried on his farm in Clinton Co., IL. 1818 census of Franklin Co., IL, gives John Dunkin, 1 white male +21 and 8 other white inhabitants. Aged 60-70 with his wife Lydia aged 50-60 and 4 other fem's in the 1830 Franklin Co., IL, census. He was placed on the pension roll Sept 25, 1833, at the age of 71 in Franklin Co., IL. Pension # R-3126. Lydia was living at Marion, Williamson Co., IL, when her claim for pension was rejected for act of 7 July 1838. "Not six months service." Not listed in the new patriot index. Ref: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13

Samuel Gardner. Served as a Private in the New York Continental Line. He served in the fifth regiment with Col. Lewis Du Bois; and in the third regiment of Dutchess Co., (NY), militia under Col. Albert Pawling. He was placed on the pension roll July 20, 1826 in Crawford Co., IL. Pension # S-35336 NY. His residence is listed in various sources as Franklin, Johnson, and Crawford Co's. of IL. Not listed in the new patriot index. Ref: 1, 5, 6, 8

Thomas Gill. Served as a Private and a Captain in the SC Continal Line. He served as a Captain in Gen. Sumpters Company. He was wounded at Savannah on 9 Oct 1779 and again at Eutaw Springs on 8 Sept 1781. His Pension # is S-31061. He was placed on the pension roll in Pike Co. on May 7, 1834 at the age of 78. His grave was marked by the James Halstead Senior Chapter of NSDAR. He was born 27 Aug 1755 in NJ and died 30 Aug 1838 in Crawford Co., IL. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Palestine, Crawford Co., IL. His wife was Hannah Griswell. He came to Illinois and for a time lived in Franklin County, but removed to Crawford County, settling four miles northwest of Palestine, where he died in 1840. [note difference in death date in different sources.] 1818 census of Crawford County, IL gives Thomas Gill, a free white inhabitant +21 and 7 other white inhabitants. Ref: 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13

Isham Harrison. Served as a Lieutenant out of NC. Born 1760 VA. Died 14 Sept 1835 Ironton, Mo. Wife: Amy Gilliam. Soldier pensioned, and his widow pensioned. Ref: 1, 4, 11

John Johnson. Served as a Soldier from NC. He served with General Marion from Bladen Co., NC. He was born 1763, and died 9 July 1853. Buried Little Springs Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Hamilton Co., IL. Tombstone reads 1763 - 1853, a Revolutionary Soldier. His wife was Sarah Smith. It is believed that he lived for a brief time in Franklin Co., IL. He has many descendants here but I can find no proof that he ever lived in Franklin County. The 1850 census of Hamilton Co., IL, shows this John Johnson living at the age of 103, a farmer, and born in North Carolina. [see a second listing of a John Johnson] Ref: 2, 6, 8, 15

Shawneetown Land Records has the following entries on "John Johnson" First entry dated 24 Oct 1814 John Johnson of Union County, KY. Again 14 Nov 1814 along with John Rayburn, both of Union Co., KY, land in Saline Co., IL. (then was a part of Gallatin Co.) Again 9 Oct 1816, John Johnson and John Rayburn, land in Saline Co., IL. On 28 Aug 1817, John Johnston and John Rayburn of Union County, KY, bought land in Gallatin Co., IL. On 6 Oct 1818, a John Johnson of Edwards Co., bought land in Wayne Co. On 20 Oct 1818, John Johnson bought land in Wayne Co. On 11 Nov 1818, John Johnson of Edwards Co., bought land in Wayne Co. On 26 May 1819, John Johnson of Davidson Co., TN, bought land in Jefferson Co., IL. On 1 Oct 1819, John Johnston and Andw. Clark bought land in Wayne Co. On 9 Nov 1819 Jno. Johnston and Andw. Clark bought land in Wayne Co., IL.

Moses Jones Served as a Private from North Carolina. He enlisted at Gates County, NC, and served in Capt. Benjamin Bailey's Company, Tenth Regt., NC troops from Sept 10, 1782 until March 1, 1783. Soldier's pension # S-32347 NC claim was rejected by act of congress May 29, 1830 because of "not nine month's of service". Franklin Co., IL, census of pensioners gives his age as 80. He was born Sept 1762 in Isle of Wight, VA., and died c1852. He came to Illinois in 1819, settling in Franklin County, but died in Williamson Co., IL. The 1830 Franklin Co. census gives Moses Jones age 60 - 70 with a younger male aged 20 - 30. The 1840 Franklin Co. census gives Moses Jones, aged 80, Revolutionary Soldier. And also gives Moses Jones aged 80 - 90 and a female aged 50 - 60. His wife's name was Elizabeth. He later lived in the Northern Precinct, now Corinth Township, in Williamson Co., IL. In Pioneer Daughters is a very dark copy of a newspaper clipping dated 12 Jan 1939 and tells a little about Moses Jones. You would have to order the microfilm of the newspaper to read all of the article. Or ask the Williamson County Historical Society to try making a copy at a lighter setting. Ref: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19

John Robinson. Served as a Private in the NC Continental Line. He enlisted in 1776 and served 3 month's in Capt John Lyles' Regt., and 3 month's in 1777 with the same officers; 3 month's in 1781 in Capt. Jeremiah William's Company, Col. Samuel Hammond's Regt. He was in several engagements with the Cherokee Indians. He was admitted to the pension roll 12 Apr 1832 in Franklin Co., IL, at the age of 83. He lived in Franklin Co., IL, before moving to Williamson Co, IL. He was born in 1750 in SC, and died 20 July 1835, and is buried in Williamson Co., IL. No wife mentioned. Ref: 5, 8

Philip T. Russell. Of Lunenburg Co., VA., served as a Wagon Master and a Private in the Virginia Continental troops and was present when Cornwallis surrendered. He was aged 69 and a resident of Franklin Co., IL, when he was placed on the pension roll Dec 17, 1833. He drew bounty land for his services. BLWT 26883-160-55 VA. His wife drew a widow's pension, W-2575. He moved to Tennessee and in 1817 came from Clarksville, Montgomery Co., TN to Franklin Co., IL. At the time of his death he was living in Williamson Co., IL. Williamson Co. was divided off from Franklin Co. in 1839. He was born Nov 14, 1765,, of Irish stock, and died Aug 17, 1842. He is buried in the Wilson Cemetery, west of Cambria, Williamson Co., IL. He carried a bullet in his body till the day he died. He married 1st, on Jan 6, 1792, in Pittsylvania Co., VA to Elizabeth Stuart, born Aug 31, 1770, died May 12, 1828. He married 2nd, Mary Williams. Mary drew a pension. Philip was in Montgomery Co., TN, in 1798. In the 1818 census of Franklin Co., IL, was Philip Russel +21 and 7 other white inhabitants in the household. The 1830 census of Franklin Co., IL, shows Philip Rusel aged 60 - 70 with 3 young adults and 2 children. Nannie Gray Parks gives his death date as 1849 in the Wilson Cem. There are several references to this Philip Russell in "The Pioneer Daughters Applications Of Williamson Co., IL." Ref: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 21

More notes about Philip T. Russell.
Courtesy of S. R. Philipak, [email protected]
1832 - PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VIRGINIA and FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS - PENSION APPLICATION Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832 State of Illinois Franklin County On the second day of October 1832, personally appeared before the Circuit Court holden in and for the county of Franklin, Philip Russell, a resident of the county of Franklin and State of Illinois aged sixty seven years the 14th November next, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. He was born in Lunenberg County in the State of Virginia in the year 1765. He has the record of his age now at home in his own bible which he took and copied with his own hand from the record in his fathers bible made by him. He was living in the county of Pittsylvania State of Virginia when he entered the service of the United States which was about the first of February 1781. It had come to the turn of one Floyd Tanner to perform a tour of duty, and this applicant took his place as a private and rendezvoused at Wilson's Mill on Lasidy river in Pittsylvania County under Captain William Dix, when he was received as a substitute of the said Tanner, the company then went to the place called the High rock Ford, on Haw river in Orange County, North Carolina as he believes when they joined the Virginia troops and the regulars under Genl' Green, the Regiment to which Captain Dix's company belonged was commanded by Col. Peter Perkins, and the militia Genl' who commanded these troops was General Stephens from from Culpeper County in Virginia. From the High rock Ford, the whole force under General Green was consisting of militia and regulars, marched towards the south, the movements of the army consisted of marching to and fro, sometimes hanging upon Cornwallis and at others flying from him. The forces under Genl' Green not being at this time sufficient to fight, until a considerable addition of strength enabled us to fight Cornwallis at Guildford Court house, about the middle of March as he thinks the 15th day which was on a Thursday. During the turn of the engagement, Genl' Stephens in person commanded and encouraged his men, in which fight this applicant was wounded by a shot in the right side. The army of Genl' Green was ordered to retreat from the engagement and previous to getting engaged, orders were given to the men in case of defeat and rout, they were to reunite at a place called Troublesome Ironworks on the Haw river about seven miles from Guildford, when they accordingly reunited under the respective officers. From this place they were marched down by the battleground, in pursuit of Cornwallis, who had hastily left the field and took his rout towards Wilmington, we pursued him as far as to Dup river and then moved back near to Guildford when after remaining some time we were discharged, sometimes in the forepart of the summer of 1781. The tour of duty was for five months and this applicant received an honorable discharge and returned home. He further states that Colonel Lee and Colonel Washington were along at the same time with their respective corps of Light Horse. He further states that he recollects of no other incidents of importance which happened during his service, that he received a discharge as above stated which he gave to his father at his return home which is lost many years since. The discharge was signed by Captain William Dix. This applicant states that after this service he returned home and shortly engaged in driving a wagon in the service of the United States and continued for upwards of two years. He then returned again to his father in Pittsylvania County where he resided (following principally wagon driving for a living) until 1797, when he came to Tennessee Montgomery County, where he resided twenty years and then moved in 1817 or 18 to the county of Franklin State of Illinois, where he has lived ever since and still resides, he further states that he has no documentary evidence of his services, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can conveniently at this time procure who can testify to his services. 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 any State or Territory. his Phillip [X] Russell mark Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid We Cudworth Harrison and Simon M. Hubbard residing in the County of Franklin hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Philip Russell, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty seven years of age; that is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid S. 11. Hubbard C. W. Harrison And the said court do hereby declare the opinions after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court also further certifies that it appears to the court that Cudworth Harrison and Simon M. Hubbard, who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the county of Franklin, and are credible persons and that their statements are certified to credit. I Simon M. Hubbard Clerk of the circuit court of said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said court in the matter of the application of Philip Russell. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal this 2nd day of October 1832. S. M. Hubbard Ck.

Samuel Tanner. Served as a Soldier in Virginia. He applied for a pension from Saline Co., IL. R-10390 VA., rejected for not having six month's service. He was a resident of Franklin Co., IL, when the claim rejected for Act of June 7, 1832 "not six months service". He died in Saline Co., IL. Ref: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8

Austin Yancey. Served as a private in the SC troops from Greenville County, and he served 4 month's in 1776 from Rutherford Co., NC, in Col. William Graham's Regt. In 1781 from Ninety-sixth Dist., SC in Capt. Holloway's Company, Col. Hinders Regt, commanded by General Greene. Austin Yancey applied for a pension from Franklin County, Illinois, on Oct 3, 1833 at the age of 81 years, 1 month, 10 days. "Arthur Yancey" came to Fulton County, IL, and was a residence of Lewistown when he applied for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832, R-11921, but had served less than six month's and it was refused. (Apr 5, 1836) He was born Aug 29, 1752 and died after April 5, 1836 in Fulton Co., IL. His wife was Sarah Garrison. I came across Austin Yancey a long time ago while I was looking for my own Yancey connection, Lewis Davis Yancey. The Yancey family had many of their men serve as Soldiers and Officers in the Rev. War. Austin still has descendants in the Williamson Co., IL, area. Ref: 1, 5, 6 (mistakenly called Arthur Yancy), 7,

References:

1. Index Of Revolutionary War Pension Applications In The National Archives-Bicentennial Edition, Revised and Enlarged, by the National Genealogical Society of Washington, D.C. 1976 [Note: There is a complete set of these records on microfilm located at the Brehm library at Mt. Vernon, IL].

2. Shawneetown Land Records, by Lowell M. Volkel.

3. History of White Co., IL, Inter-state pub. Co., Chicago, IL 1883.

4. The New Patriot Index, NSDAR.

5. Soldiers Of The American Revolution Buried In Illinois, by the IL. State Gen. Soc.

6. Roster of Revolutionary War Soldiers And Widows Who Lived In Illinois Counties, by Mrs. Harold I. Meyer.

7. Revolutionary Soldiers Buried In Illinois, by Mrs. Harriet J. Walker.

8. Revolutionary Soldiers Buried In Southern Division, compiled 1972 by the Ten Chapters of Daughters of the American Revolution in Division VII.

9. Honor Roll, Franklin County, State Of Illinois, by Illinois Veterans Commission.

10. Roll Of Honor - Record Of Burial Places Of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Army Nurses Of All Wars Of The United States Buried In The State Of Illinois, pub by the state of IL. 11. Members Papers.

12. 1830 Census Of Franklin County, IL., by Susan (Doxsie) Dorris - 1993.

13 Illinois Census Returns 1810, 1818, pub by the IL State Historical Library.

14. Cave Township Cemetery Book, Franklin County, Illinois, by the Frankfort Area Gen. Soc.

15. Hamilton County Cemeteries & Probate Index, Hamilton County, Illinois, by Vaught, Davis, Gholson, & Daily.

16. 1840 Census Of Franklin County, IL. by Susan (Doxsie) Dorris - 1994.

17. Pioneer Daughters Applications Of Williamson County, (IL), by the Williamson Co. Hist. Soc. 1996.

18. Old Cemetery Records Of Williamson Co., IL, copied by Nannie G. Parks, Librarian, Marion, IL. This collection is held at the Williamson Co. Historical Society located in the old jail building, Marion, IL. Nannie Gray Parks was many years ago a librarian at the Marion library, and had a large collection of genealogical information pertaining to Williamson County.

19. The History Of Williamson County, Illinois, by Milo Erwin.

20. McElyea Family In America, author unknown to me, information given by a Mrs. Hill of CA.

21. History Of Gallatin, Saline, Hamilton, Franklin, and Williamson Counties, Illinois. Goodspeed pub.

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