Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements1880
Pension application of Alexander Faris (Farris) S3344
Transcribed by Will Graves
State of Tennessee, Obion County: Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions October Term A.D. 1833

This day, to wit, the 9th of October 1833, personally appeared in said court, now sitting, Alexander Faris, a resident of said County of Obion aged 75 years, 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, providing pensions for Revolutionary soldiers, passed June 7th, 1832.
Applicant states that he was born in the year 1758 in the State of Pennsylvania & when about five years of age, removed with his father to the County, now District, of York in the State of South Carolina and there resided until the father of this applicant was drafted to serve a tour against the Cherokee Indians, when applicant entered the Company of Captain John Anderson of ____ [blank in original] Regiment, under the command of General Williamson [Andrew Williamson], in the room & as a substitute for the father of this applicant - applicant cannot give the precise time, but as well as he recollects, at this distant period, it was about the year 1776 - applicant being then under age - He marched in Captain Anderson's company to Seneca Fort on the Savannah River and continued there some days destroying the corn & property of the Indians, who retreated and thence we marched to a place called the Horse Shoe [illegible words] in the Allegheny mountain & at that place had a battle with the Cherokee Indians, at which battle applicant fought. From this place applicant was detached, with others, by order of General Williamson to conduct the men wounded in the late battle to their homes whilst the Army pursued its march to the middle settlements of said Indians. And at the end of three months, applicant was discharged by order of General Williamson. As well as this applicant can now recollect. The next to military service by him performed during the Revolution was as a draft, for three months, under command of Captain Anderson, who joined General Locke's [Francis Locke] between Savannah River and Briar Creek: and was ordered by General Locke to go against the Tories down the Savannah River, which our detachment did & went near Savannah and where this service was performed & many of the Tories taken prisoners by us. The detachment to which this applicant belonged was returning to join General Locke where we had left him, when we found the British masters of the field & Locke's Army dispersed - applicant continued in this & other services three months, the term for which he was drafted. The next service of applicant was under the command of General Sumpter [sic, Thomas Sumter], as a draft for three months. Applicant entered this service in the year ____ [blank in original] & marched with General Sumter from York District South Carolina to Broad River & found the British stationed on the opposite side of the River. A detachment was sent by General Sumter to Shirer's ferry to prevent the British from crossing whilst Sumter, with the main body strengthened his position at Blackstocks: -- but the British finally crossed the River below & compelled the detachment, at the ferry, of which this applicant was one, to retire before them, upon Sumter's main position at Blackstocks - a severe action ensued at this place, & our General was wounded by a ball in the thigh. Applicant was in this battle & served as drafted during three months. In the next service performed by applicant was in hauling ball & shot from Colonel Hill's Iron works in York District to the City of Charleston: -- but the British, under command of General Clinton [Henry Clinton], while on their way from Savannah to Charleston, intercepted applicant and others with him & they were compelled to abandon their ammunition & to avoid it being taken by the enemy, threw it into Wawpoo [sic, Wappoo] Cut near Moncks Corner - from thence applicant returned home & was ordered to escort six wagons to New Bern N. C. to bring arms & salt for the Army at Colonel Watson's in the District of York-- from that time applicant was daily & constantly engaged with scouting parties against the British, during all the time they were in the possession of Charleston & the southern parts of the state of South Carolina & your applicant cannot distinguish when this different terms of his service expired - for though sometimes at home, he was not discharged. Applicant is unable to state the whole amount of his service - but he recollects distinctly that he was generally employed in the military service of his country from the time of his service with General Williamson until the enemy finally abandoned Charleston. -- applicant is advised that the War department requires to be informed when applicant was drafted, under whose command he was placed, what service he rendered, when discharged & etc.. But the war in South Carolina was not conducted in a very regular & systematic manner. The cause in which we were enlisted was maintained by the Spartanian efforts of the patriots of the times & without the regular commands of lawful authority. -- Applicant was among the number & devoted to the cause of his Country between three & four years of the period of his life. -- Applicant states that lapse of time & feeble old age render it impossible for him to give a more particular statement -- & that he knows of no person or persons by whom he can prove his services. -- The statements made by him will give the Department a general idea of his services & of the time & etc.. Applicant further states that he continued to reside in the District of York in S. C. until 1829, when he removed with his relations to the County of Obion in the State of Tennessee & here still resides. Applicant refers to Senator Miller & John McCreery of South Carolina as persons who can certify as to his character & etc.. Applicant has no documentary evidence of his service. Applicant hereby renounces all claim to a pension, but the present & states that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed in open court - the day & year aforesaid. S/ Laml. D. Wilson, Clk S/ Alex Faris