Cardwell, James, Pension Statement W2998, Excerpts

JAMES CARDWELL ï¿½ W2998 ï¿½ EXCERPTS[1]

Affidavit filed at Mercer County, Kentucky ï¿½ February 29, 1840:
Sally Cardwell of said county, aged 75, declares she is the widow of James Cardwell who was a soldier in the Virginia militia upwards of two years. The last year he was in service he was ordered by Gen. Greene to ride express several months. She was married May 4, 1788 in Mercer County, Kentucky and he died October 26, 1806 in said county.[2]
Affidavit filed in Owen County, Kentucky ï¿½ January 1, 1839:
Sherwood Maddox declares he is 77 years of age. He was a mess mate of James Cardwell in 1781 in Capt. Woodsonï¿½s company of the regiment of Col. Halcom in Gen. Lawsonï¿½s brigade. Cardwell served with him two months and was in service when Maddox first joined the army.
Affidavit filed in Charlotte County, Virginia ï¿½ September 28, 1838:
Benjamin Marshall of Charlotte declares he was in service with James Cardwell, late of Charlotte. In April 1780 James Cardwell was drafted in the militia from Charlotte County under Capt. Thomas Williams for six months, marched south and engaged in the battle near Camden in August 1780. Col. Downman and Gen. Stevens commanded the regiment. In 1781 James Cardwell was drafted and was at the siege of Yorktown. Marshall is in his 81st year and is a pensioner. ^[3]
Affidavit filed in Charlotte County, Virginia ï¿½ October 7, 1839:
Thomas Harvey of Charlotte County, Virginia declares in the early part of 1780 James Cardwell, formerly of said county, was drafted in the militia under Capt. Thomas Williams and marched to the south and was at the battle of Camden in August 1780. Col. Downman and Gen. Stevens commanded the regiment. He was drafted for six months. In 1781 he was drafted again under Capt. Harvey for two or three months and was at the Battle of Guilford in North Carolina. In august 1781 he was drafted again under Capt. Wallace for three months and was at the siege of York. [4]
Affidavit filed in Charlotte County, Virginia ï¿½ December 17, 1839 :
Martha Epperson [5] in her 86th year, of Charlotte, declares that she is acquainted with James Cardwell and Sally his wife. Sally Crockett, his wife, moved from Prince Edward County, Virginia to Kentucky and James Cardwell afterward moved to the same state and married her in Kentucky. James served several tours in the militia. ^[6]
Affidavit filed in Mercer County, Kentucky ï¿½ March 2, 1840:
Robert B. McAfee declares he became acquainted with James Cardwell in 1797. Cardwell and his wife lived on McAfeeï¿½s land. Cardwell died October 26, 1806. He married one of their daughters. He often conversed with Cardwell about his services in the Revolutionary War. He related all the circumstances of the taking of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, described his services in the south with Gen. Greene and stated he was under Gen. Lafayette.
Affidavit filed in Mercer County, Kentucky ï¿½ May 3, 1788:[7]

Camp on Deep River ï¿½ March, 31, 1781
Mr. James Cardwell & Christopher Haskings having been employed for some time past as expressess are hereby discharged from the same.
Robt. Saunders
A.D.Q.M.S.A.
Affidavit filed in Mercer County, Kentucky ï¿½ July 4, 1853:
Col. John Cardwell, son of Mrs. Sally Cardwell and administrator of her estate, apllies for arrears of pension due. John Cardwell of said county declares he is the son of James and Sally Cardwell, late of Mercer County, and administrator of Sally Cardwell, a pensioner at $20 per annum. His father served for three years and six months and was for a time under Gen. Lafayette, for a time in the cavalry under Col. Washington, under Gen. Gates at the time of his defeat and under Gen, Greene from the time he took command in South Carolina until after the taking of Lord Cornwallis and was present on that occasion. He served as an express rider at the battle of Cowpens and until the close of the war. His mother died in Mercer County 11 Feb. 1853 leaving him, William Cardwell, Cuzza Forsyth, Anthony Cardwell, James Cardwell and George Cardwell her only surviving children.
Sally Cardwell, widow of James Cardwell who died 26 Oct. 1806, of Mercer Co., Ky., private in the company of Capt. Williams in the regiment of Col. Downman in the Virginia Line for six months, was placed on the Kentucky pension roll at $20 per annum. Certificate 6176 under the Act of 1838 was issued 4 May 1841, 296 under the Act of 1843 was issued 13 June 1843 and 3110 under the Act of 1848 was issued 18 Jan. 1849. The amount was increased for $20 to $30 on 15 Sept. 1953 and to 490 on 16 Oct. 1855.

[1] James Cardwell, son of John Cardwell and Keziah Lowe Cardwell, was born October 9, 1761 in Charlotte County, Virginia. His early years revolved around living life on a Virginia farm with his brothers and sisters. James Cardwell served during the Revolutionary War as a Private in the Virginia militia. His widow, Sarah Crockett Cardwell, received a Widows Pension from the Federal Government for his services during the war. Those records contain information that is interesting concerning the time period. Revolutionary War Pension Application #W.2998 contains several affidavits from various people that knew James Cardwell and some of this children.

[2] This has a important piece of information in that it is stated that James rode express for General Greene. During the war express riders were used in sending vital military information between units. It was hazardous duty considering that they carried battle plans and other important information. It is known that numerous attempts to capture express riders were common on both sides of the conflict. These positions were normally given to young men of strong resolve and that owned a quick horse. This points favorable to James Cardwell being a cut above other militia soldiers.

[3] This affidavit states that James Cardwell served at two major battles during the Revolutionary War. One being the America defeat at Camden, which occurred in August 1780, in which the British won and killed or captured hundreds of American soldiers. It was an embarrassment to the American forces and a major setback to the efforts in the southern campaign. The second battle that is mentioned is the Siege at Yorktown. This battle signified the end of British hostilities during the war, as the British Commander, Lord Cornwallis, surrendered.

[4] This affidavit confirms in the previous one and adds that James Cardwell was at the battle of Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina. That battle was a significant one for the American forces and it put the British, under Lord Cornwallis, on the defensive.

[5] This is James Cardwellï¿½s sister.

[6] This information is important in establishing the migration of the Crockett and Cardwell families to Mercer County, Kentucky. Additionally, it confirms the marriage of James Cardwell and Sarah Crockett.

[7] Appears that two documents were presented to the court. One being the original marriage bound between James Cardwell and Sarah Crockett. The other being what appears as a copy of discharge papers.

Contact: Rand Cardwell, wrcardwell

, author of John Cardwell - 1715 to 1795

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