To the Commissioners appointed by Act of Parliament for enquiring into the Losses & Services of the American Loyalists
The
Memorial of Donald McAlpine Captain in the South Carolina Rangers
Humbly sheweth
That your
Memorialist is a Native of North Britain, and actuated by the strictest
Principles of Loyalty from his Infancy, embark’d in the Cause of the British
Government & Constitution in the Year 1757, & served His Majesty with
the distinguished Character of a good Soldier & Officer in the 78th
Regiment of Highlanders commanded by Col. Symen Fraser in his dift. Routes in
North America during the War before the last.
That your
Memorialist at the Conclusion of that War remained in the Country, where he
acquired a comfortable Fortune, until the Beginning of the last unhappy War, he
then quitting his Property & Family (of old & infirm Father &
Mother in Law, a Wife & 5 Children) took the earliest Opportunity of
serving his King & Country to support the Rebellion, & Join’d His Maj’s
Forces commanded by Genl. Gage at Boston in 1775, from which Time he continued
in the service with unwearied Assiduity & Perseverance in dift. Quarters of
America, until the unfavorable Determination of this War.
That your
Memorialist in the year 1781 being Captn. in the So. Carolina Rangers, & at
a Time in a Covering Party on the Congarese in that Province, had the
Misfortune to be wounded in sevl. Places, a Couple of Balls now lodged in his
Body, to the great Prejudice of his Welfare & Loss of the use of his Left
arm, was then taken Prisoner & stript of every Thing, even to the very
bloody Shirt on his Back, plundered of his Baggage & many Articles
purchased for the Use of the Regiment, continued as Prisoner from the 23rd
Feby. to the summer following, then exchanged in Charlestown, & when the
South Carolina Rangers were drafted into the So. Carolina Regiment, he joined
Col. Hamilton’s Regiment as Lieut. and continued untill it was reduced.
That your
Memorialist by his Steadiness & Adherence to His Majesty’s Service, has
lost all his Property n North America as Pr. Schedule annexed; hopes therefore,
that his Case may be taken into your Consideration in Order that he may be
enabled, under your Report, to receive such Aid or Relief as his Losses,
Services & Sufferings may be found to deserve, and
Your Memorialist will ever pray
[Donald McAlpine]
London, No. 25 Turn Mill Street
the
23rd March 1784
Great Britain, Public Record
Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Volume 131, folio 82.
Schedule to the preceeding
Memorial.
An
Estate in the Province of New Hampshire No. America,
formerly belongg. to Mr. John Baird &
entitled to me by
Marriage on his Heir
Farm
No. 1 a Mile out of the Town of Exeter, containing 65
Acres of Land well fenc’d & wall’d with
valuable Oak Trees
& spring Water productive of Corn,
Pasturage & Meadow 200. 0. 0.
Lot,
belonging to do. containing 10½ acres of Land in the
Centre of the Town of Exeter well fenc’d
& wall’d with a
good Garden, Orchard & Meadow 225. 0.
0.
Elegant
House 36 ft. by 26, 2 Stories well finished with a
Garret, Kitchen & Barn &c. 500. 0. 0.
All
Moveables of Household Furniture 125. 0. 0.
Farm
Containg. 65 acres of Land in Nottingham Square
Township in sd. Province remarkable for
good Oak &Pine,
an excellent Orchard & Garden with a dwelling house &
Out Office £ 2000 old Tenure 200. 0.
0.
Town
Lot in the Square, containg. 5 Acres of Land at
£ 1125 old Tenure 112. 10. 0.
Stock
on Farm No. 1
12 Hd. of horn’d Cattle @
30/. Ea. 1 Saddle & 1 Chair Horses
@ 15 Ea. 48.
0. 0.
12
do. breeding Sheep 10/. Ea. & 4 breeding Sows with their
followers 18/ Ea. 9. 12. 0.
Chair
& Saddle complete cost 47.
5. 0.
Plantation
Utensils with Gardener’s Mason’s & Carpenter’s
Tools
30. 0. 0.
Horse
& Baggage taken by the Enemy betwn. Camden &
hanging Rock 1780 66. 3.
0.
2
Dragoon Horses & Baggage taken by Do. at the Congrease
in 1781
135. 11. 8½
Money
at Interest £ 15000 old Tenure in Stg. £ 370 }
Outstanding
Debts, to the amount of Stg. 370 }
£ 740 Bounds
promissary
Notes & other Vouchers for the same destroy’d
by the Enemy
[blank]
£ 1699. 1.
8½
Evidences
Sir Benjamin Thompson No. 8 St. Albans Street
Colonel Willard No. 81 Charlotte Street Portland
Place
Mr. Fisher Saville Row
Colonel Holland No. 21 in Upper Maryle Bond
Mr. Hale No. 2 Bentu Street Berwick Street Soho
Col. Lotteridge
Doctr. Little
Mr. Meservie
Great Britain, Public Record
Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Volume 131, folio 83.
Losses sustained when taken
Prisoner at the Congarees in the year 1781 Vizt.
Two
Dragoon Horses @ £ 16 Ea. on an average
£ 32. 0. 0.
One
Dragoon Sword £ 3. 10/ a pr. of
Pistols £ 3
one pr. Holsters 25/ 7. 15. 0.
one
Suit of Cloaths, full trimmed 14. 0.
0.
Two
Pair new ready md. Cloath Breeches & Waistcoats 4.
4. 0.
One
Peice Linen 25 yds. @ 4/8 pr. yard 5. 16.
8.
1½
yds. Cambrick with Buttons & thread 1. 10.
0.
Bed
& Beding cost 7. 10.
0.
Two
pr. new Shoes &a pr. of Boots 3. 3.
0.
A
Trunk of Stationary 11. 11.
0.
Seven
half worn Shirts @ 10/ Each
3. 10. 0.
Two
pr. of new Silk Stockings
2. 10. 0.
four
pr. of Cotton Stockings @ 6/6 Each 1. 7.
0.
Three
pair of Thread Do. @ 5/ Do.
0. 15. 0.
a
Case of Gin 2. 14.
0.
Two
lb Hyson Tea £ 2. 2/ 11¼ lb Loaf Sugar 16/ 10½ 2. 18. 10½
Eight
lb Muscovado Sugar 6/. Chocolate 4 lb
9/4
0. 15. 4.
four
Galls. Jamaica Spirits cost 9/ Each 1. 16.
0.
One
Cheese 14 lb. 1/ pr lit. 1 new Hatt
with Trimmings 63/
3. 17. 0.
12
Black & white stocks 2/6 & 4 Handerchiefs, 2 Black Silk
and 2 Do. white 18/
2. 8. 0.
Black
Ball, Powder & Pometum with Brishes, Pr. Ball 1/8
4 lb hair Powder 6/. 2 Sticks Pomatum @ 2/4 & Brishes 3
0. 8. 0.
Two
new Saddles with Bridle Compleat 5. 10. 0.
a
Mahogany Case of Razors & Coambs Compleat 2.
0. 0.
one
pair of Silver Buckles 23/4d one case
Ml. Instmts. &
Ml. Scale 40/
3. 3. 4.
One
Small chest with Camp Utentials, 1 Doz. Knives & forks
9/4d & ½ Dozn. Spoons 3d Ea. 1/6. 1 Silver pint Poringer 50/
2 Silver Spoons 24/. one pewter Bason 5/. 6 Stone Glass
Tumblers 12/ one quart & Two pint potts 3/. 1 Dozn. Tinn
plates 6/.
1 Copper Tea Kettle 21/. 1 putor
Tea pott 9/
one Suit of Cloaths for Mr. McCallom Q:M. £
7. 3.
0. 14.
3. 10.
135. 11.
0½
N.B. Omited
one Negroe Man Slave worth £ 50 a Bricklayer
by Trade 50.
0. 0.
Total
Amount £ 185. 11. 0½
Great Britain, Public Record
Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Volume 131, folio 90.
Losses between Hanging Rock
& Camden in the year 1780 South Carolina Vizt.
one
Horse cost £ 12 & one suit of Cloaths unmade £ 7 19.
0. 0.
one
Suit made, not quite new 2. 10.
0.
9
fine trimmed Shirts cost an average 25/ Each Stocks included
11. 5. 0.
6
pair fine Stockings on an average 5/ Each 1. 10.
0.
4
Pair overalls of diff: qualities, on an average 14/. Ea. 2.
16. 0.
one
Pair new Boots cost 2 Guineas
2. 2. 0.
a
Canteen complete with Wines & Liquors 7.
0. 0.
a
Traveling Trunk 1.
1. 0.
Matrass,
a Pair of Blankets quilt & 2 pair of sheets
8. 0. 0.
a
Markee call’d a Camp Fly 8.
8. 0.
a
new pair of Shoes, Brishes & Black Ball Powder and Pometum
1. 1. 0.
Paper,
Books, Pen & Ink
1. 10. 0.
Several
other articles not mentioned
[blank]
£ 66. 3. 0.
Great Britain, Public Record
Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Volume 131, folio 91.
To the Commissioners appointed by the Lords of his Majestys Treasury to enquire into the sufferings of the American Loyalists
The memorial of Daniel Donald McAlpine
Sheweth
That he is a native of North Britain & went into America in the war before the last & served during its continuance with some reputation in the 78th Regiment of Highlanders & at the close of the war remained in America that he lived comfortably supporting himself & family untill the year 1775 when the rebellion broke out; that his Loyalty to his sovereign & his attachment to his native Country added to the resentments those principles created against him in the natives of America obliged him to leave his property his family an aged & infirm father & mother in Law, a wife & seven Children & to join General Gage at Boston in the summer of the same year; That he continued in Boston untill its evacuation when he accompanied the Troops untill their arrival at New York where he enlisted for the King’s service 85 men & was appointed a Captain in Major Stark’s Corps & after that he joined the Queens Rangers & had a considerable share of that hard & severe service for which that Corps was not less distinguished than for their spirit & Gallantry; that in the year 1781 being then a captain in the South Carolina rangers he had the misfortune in an Action with the Enemy to be severely wounded in several places & to be taken prisoner & continued several months prisoner; After his Exchange he joined Col. Hamilton'’ Regiment (the South Carolina Rangers being drafted) & continued a Lieut. in the same untill the regiment was reduced; that he has in England a wife & two children with him to support; that his Children in America also want Assistance but he finds it totally impracticable to support himself & family here much less to afford assistance to them there therefore considering his long services, zeal & Loyalty his former losses & present distresses he prays that you would afford him some present support to relieve himself & family from their present distress he having nothing but his half pay as Lieut. to depend upon. And your memorialist as in duty bound will ever pray—
Donald McAlpine
Ball’s pond near Newington
May 1st 1784
Great Britain, Public Record Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Volume 131, folio 92.
This is to Certify that Lieutenant Donald McAlpine of the Royal North Carolina Regiment commanded by John Hamilton Esqr. Lieut. Coll. Commandant, is rendered (by the Several wounds received in His Majesty’s Service) particularly those in his left arm, by which the use of that arm is lost, entirely unfit for Service in this Country.
Given under my Hand at St. Augustine this 20th day of Septr. 1783.
Sign’d R. Catherwood
Surgeon of His Majesty’s
Hospital at East Florida
(A Copy) &
Murdock McLeod Surgeon
of the Royal N. Carolina Regt.
I do hereby Certify that the above Lieut. Donald McAlpine had a Warrant from me as a Captain in my Regiment, that he was afterwards appointed Captain in the South Carolina Rangers By Lord Rawdon, Still retaining rank as Lieutenant in my Regiment of Rangers, untill they were Draughted into the South Carolina Loyalists (by order of the Honble Lieut. Genl. Leslie) During which time he never received any Pay, but as Lieut. in the Royal North Carolina Regiment, that the Sd. Lieut. McAlpine was wounded through the Thigh on the 16th August 1780 in the Action under Lord Cornwallis at Camden, and in the left arm, in the action on the Congaree River, the 23rd Febry. 1781, very Dangerously having Two Balls lodged in it, & that the said McAlpine has ever behaved himself as a very gallant & spirited Officer.
(Signed)
J. Hamilton
Lt. Col. Commandant
(A Copy)
I Certify the above to be true
Archd. McArthur Brigdr. Genl.
Great Britain, Public Record Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Volume 131, folio 93.
This may certify that I knew Captain Donald McAlpine previous to the Rebellion in America, that he was setled in Exeter in the Province of New Hampshire, and was married to the only Child of John Beard of said Exeter, that said Beard was possessed of a Valuable real, and personal Estate in said Province; I always esteemed said McAlpine to be a good and loyal Subject when he was in New Hampshire, and have always understood since, that he has continued to persevere in the same line of conduct.
Stephen Holland
London Upper Marybone Street
No. 21, August ye 16th 1784
Great Britain, Public Record Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Volume 131, folio 94.
This may certifie that I Knew Mr. McAlpine previous to the war, that he joined the King’s Army at Boston & did duty there as a volunteer while the Town was blockaded, & that he went with the Army to Hallifax & from thence to New York that I always esteemed him a good & loyal subject and that he was zealous & active in assisting The Kings Cause & that he served in several of the provincial Corps during the war.
Abijah Willard
London August 16th 1784
Great Britain, Public Record Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Volume 131, folio 95.
These are to Certify the Honorable the Commissioners of American Claims, or whom else it may Concern; That I have Examined and carefully inspected the Schedule of Losses sustained by Captain Donald McAlpine in the Province of South Carolina in the Year 1781, that I was present with the said Captain McAlpine when he purchased the several Articles mentioned to be lost by him in that year, at which time I purchased several Articles for my own use and at same time was at Charlestown on purpose to procure Arms and other things for the Regiment I then belonged to & Commanded. Lastly, I verily believe the Charges made for the Loss the said Captain McAlpine sustained in the Year 1781 to be very Just and true; and that from my particular Knowledge I do also Certify that he lost the said Articles and Effects at the time he was taken prisoner at the Congarees in the province aforesaid. Witness my hand this 26th October 1787—
John Harrison
Major late So. Car. Rangers
Great Britain, Public Record Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Volume 131, folio 98.
Schedule of the Losses sustained by Donald McAlpine
Lost at Exeter in New Hampshire
A Farm at Nottingham Square, containing 65 Acres, worth £ 200. 0. 0.
A House Lott at Do. containing 5 Acres for which I was
offered 100 Dollars per Acre 112. 10. 0.
1200 Acres of Land, surveyed, situate near to Thornton in the
said province, which was Located for me by Governor
Wentworth, for my Services in the Army the War before last 60. 0. 0.
2 Feather Beds £ 10. 2 Bedsteads 126s/. 2 Suits of Curtains £ 15 31. 6. 0.
20 Pair of Sheets £ 10. 3 Coverlids 63/ 2 Dining Tables 84s/ 17. 7. 0.
Tea Table 30s/ Small Do. 20s/ Looking Glass 105s/ 7. 15. 0.
6 Mahoggany Chairs £ 6. 6/. 1 Doz. black Walnut Ditto £ 6 12. 6. 0.
2 Bureaus & 2 Desks £ 20. Kitchen furniture £ 16. 36. 0. 0.
Wearing apparel left at Exeter, when I joined the King’s
Troops at Boston 33. 0. 0.
8 Pair of Blankets 8. 8. 0.
A Chair with Harness complete £ 47. 5. A Saddle Horse
left at Boston £ 9. 56. 5. 0.
2 Cows and a Calf 8. 0. 0.
582. 17. 0.
Lost in South Carolina
A Negro Man, by Trade a Bricklayer, 18 Years of age 100. 0. 0.
A Negro Woman, a complete Washer, Ironer and Cook 100. 0. 0.
200. 0. 0.
Plate, China &c lost between Georgia & Charlestown, vizt.
1 quart Silver Tea Pott, 5 half pint Do. Bowles, Silver Salver,
13 Do. Table Spoons, large Ditto, Soop Spoon, a sett of
Castors, 1 Doz: Glasses, 1 Mahoggany Tea Chest 41. 4. 0.
A Trunk of Books 20. 0. 0.
A farm on James Island, which formerly belonged to Alexr.
Story, my Wife’s Brother, & which at his Death devolved to my
Wife. The Tenant (after Charlestown was taken) offered me
£ 1100 Sterg. for it, but my Wife would not consent to its being
Sold; It was situated about five miles from Charlestown &
contains 500 Acres 1100. 0. 0.
1161. 4. 0.
Lost between Camden & Hanging Rock, in August 1780.
A Horse, cost £ 12. A Suit of Cloaths unmade £ 7. 19. 0. 0.
A Suit of Cloaths a little worn 2. 10. 0.
9 fine Shirts trimed, cost on an average 25/ each Stocks included 11. 5. 0.
6 pair fine Hose 30/. 4 pair Overalls @ 14/. is 56/. a pair new
Boots 42/. 6. 8. 0.
A Canteen complete, with Liquors £ 7 A Travelling Trunk 21/ 8. 1. 0.
Matrass, 2 pr. Blankets, 2 quilts & 2 pr. Sheets 8. 0. 0.
A Markee £ 8. 8/. 1 pair Shoes, Brushes &c. 9. 9. 0.
Paper, Books, Pens and Ink 1. 10. 0.
66. 3. 0.
Loss sustained when taken Prisoner at the Congarees in 1781
2 Dragoon Horses £ 32. 1 Dragoon Sword 70/. 1 Pair Pistols 60/ 38. 10. 0.
1 Pair Holsters 25/. 1 Suit of full trim’d Cloaths £ 14. 15. 5. 0.
2 pair new Cloth Breeches & Westcoat 4. 4. 0.
1 Piece of Linen 25 Yds. @ 4/8 116/8 1½ Yd. Cambrick &c 30/. 7. 6. 8.
Bed & Bedding, cost £ 7. 10/. 1 Pr. Shoes & 1 pair new Boots 63/ 10. 13. 0.
A Trunk of Stationary 11. 11. 0.
7 half worn Shirts 3. 10. 0.
2 pair new Silk Hose 50/ 2. 10. 0.
4 Pair Cotton Do. 26/. 3 Pr. thread Do. 15/. 2. 1. 0.
A Case of Gin 55/ 2. 15. 0.
2 lb Hyson Tea 42/. 11¼ lb Loaf Sugar 16/10½ 2. 18. 10½
8 lb Muscovado Sugar 6/. 4 lb Chocolate 9/4 0. 15. 4.
4 Gals. Jamaica Spirits 36/ 1. 16. 0.
14 lb Cheese 14/. a Hatt trimed 63/. 3. 17. 0.
1 Dozn. black & white Stocks 30/ 1. 10. 0.
2 black & white silk Handerchiefs 0. 18. 0.
Dressing Utensils 0. 13. 8.
2 new Saddles & Bridles complete 5. 10. 0.
1 Mahoggany Case with Razors &c 2. 0. 0.
1 pair Silver Shoe Buckles 23/4 1 Case Mathematical
Instruments 40/ 3. 3. 4.
Chest with Camp Utensils Vizt.
1 Doz: Knives & forks 9/4. 2 Silver table Spoons 24/. ½ Dpz:
Common Spoons 1/6. 1 Silver pint porringer 50/. 6 Stone
Glass Tumblers 12/. 1 qt. & 2 pint tin potts 3/. ½ Doz: tin
plates 6/. 1 Pewter tea pott 9/. pewter Bason 5/. Copper
tea kettle 21/. 7. 0. 10.
1 Suit of Cloaths with trimings, for Mr. McCallam, Quarter Master
of Major Harrison’s Corps 7. 3. 0.
£ 2145. 15. 8½
Great Britain, Public Record Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Volume 131, folios 99-100.
I do hereby Certify that Mrs. Eliz. McAlpine is widow of the late Capt. Donald McAlpine of the late Carolina Rangers, who died of the Wounds he received in the Province of South Carolina on his Majestys Service. I do further Certify that Mrs. McAlpine has three Small orphan Children & by the death of her Husband Capt. McAlpine is deprived of all annual income & is destitute of Support for her self & Family. I do therefore most Humbly but most Earnestly recommend her to the Humane attention of the Board of Commissioners as an object truly Worthy of their Benevolence & attention for Temporary Support. Given under my hand this 30th day of June 1789.
Jno. Hamilton
Portland Street
Great Britain, Public Record Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Volume 131, folio 113.