On this the 8 July 1833, Pension Application, Peter Borders, age 77, and resident of Allen County, swore the following:

That he was born 4 January 1756 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. That he was living in Rowan County, NC, when he entered the service of the United States, that since the Revolutionary War he moved to Greenville County, SC, and from there to Tennessee, and that he now lives in Allen County, Kentucky.

That in June or July 1778 he became a Private of militia infantry as a substitute for Peter Workman in Captain David Smith's company and in General or Colonel Reatherford's regiment. That he marched from Salisberry to the western part of the State against the Indians who were committing depredations on the frontier settlements. That after several partial engagements with the Indians, and having burned their villages and destroyed their corn, he marched back to Salisberry and was discharged in the latter part of September or first of October 1778. That he served not less than 3 months.

That in the Spring of 1780 he was drafted out of Captain Hetterick's militia company in Rowan County, North Carolina, and was placed as a Sergeant in Captain Wright's company and Colonel McKifsick's or McKusick's regiment, that he marched form Salisberry to near Camden, and was in that battle, after which he retreated to Charlottesville and from thence to Salisberry where he was discharged in October 1780. That he served not less than 6 months.

That in February 1781 he again entered the service in Guilford County (his residence still being Rowan County) as a substitute for Adam Powers and served as a Private in Captain Jones' company of horse and in Colonel or Major Blout's regiment. That he marched to Guilford Courthouse and was in the battle fought there. That Captain Jones was killed and Captain George Smith took over the company which retired to the Iron Works and from thence to the neighborhood of Camden and to G___ in South Carolina. That he served not less than 5 months.

That at G___, SC, he enlisted as a Regular Soldier in August 1781 and served as Private in Captain Power's company of Dragoons and in Colonel Washington's regiment for not less than one month, when he was taken prisoner by the British at Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, and that he escaped from there in the Summer of 1782 and made it to Dorchester where General Green gave him a discharge or permit to return home. That from the time he was taken prisoner until he obtained the permit or discharge from General Green was not less than 8 months.

He recapitulates his service as follows: I served not less than 3 months in 1778. I served not less than 6 months in 1780. I served not less than 5 months in 1781 as a substitute for Adam Powers and not less than one month as a Regular Soldier. I was detained as a prisoner of war by the British not less than 8 months. Making in all one year 11 months, and for such service I claim a pension.

Confirming Statement by Samuel Sears, Resident of Sangamon County, IL

I lived near Peter Borders who has sworn t the foregoing declaration. During the Revolutionary War in Rowan County, North Carolina, my father lived about 4 miles from the residence of John S___ Borders who was the father of Peter and with whom he lived. I often saw Peter and remember well that he worked for my father both before and after the war. I have heard his declaration read and verily believe the statement therein....

Source: Borders Family History by Carol Ann Poe Hotz [Email address needed]