This biography was augmented by PRS staff.

Henry Aldred was born on 25 April 1755. The SAR has an approved application that puts his birth in Virginia, although some family members, without listing a source, say Germany.

On 20 March 1829, in Adams County, Ohio, Henry Alfred made a deposition in court as part of his application for a military pension. Henry stated he would turn 74 on 25 April 1829. His military service began on 1 August 1777 in Winchester, Virginia. He served as a Private in the company commanded by Captain Isaac Bell, commanded by Colonel Robert Lawson of the 4th Regiment of the Virginia Line. After his one term expired, he reenlisted in Pennsylvania for a three-year term. Captain Bell had been promoted, so he found himself in a company led first by Captain John Stith, then John Steed, followed by Abraham Kirkpatrick. 

In 1779, Colonel John Nevill took command of the company, led by Captain James Curry. They marched to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was a Sergeant. While in camp in Charleston, his company was under the command of Major David Stephenson. He and his company were taken prisoner on 12 May 1780. He escaped when they were being transferred to a British prison ship on 21 June 1781 and returned to his home in Virginia. Once home, he reported to Colonel James Wood, who assigned him to a company guarding the prisoners of Cornwallis’ Regiment at the Winchester Barracks. He continued with the company until the end of the war. He recalled being a participant in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, the Siege of Charleston, the taking of Stoney Point, and other skirmishes.

He states that his occupation was a carpenter but that he was now “not able to labor, being much afflicted.” He references a wife, but not by name, stating she was 65 [suggesting she was born about 1764]. He also said he had a son between 16 and 17 years of age who was mute and insane. His estate was 119 acres of land, one horse, two cows, and two heifers.

He was married to Elizabeth Whippie on 22 June 1768 in Frederick, Virginia. Among their known children: 

• Emily, born about 1798 and married Samuel Waters. 
• Elizabeth married William Eakins
• Mary “Polly” married Jacob Riots
• Margaret “Peggy” was born about 1806 married John Strickler
• Emilia/Emily was born about 1795 and married Samuel Waters
• Oliver was born in 1797 and married Margaret Nash.
• Alfred was born in 1803 and married Matilda Lyons.
• Sarah “Sally” was born about 1791 and married Moses Lockhart.
• John was born about 1 November 1787 and married Rhoda Beach.
• David was born in 1804 and married Elizabeth Mowery.

He was one of the first settlers on Brush Creek. His name appears on the pension rolls of 1835 in Adams County, although it notes he was dropped from the roll under the act of 1 May 1820.

Among Adams County, Ohio, deeds of March 1837 is a lengthy petition that relates to a tract of land on Brush Creek. The petitioners were “Heirs and Legal Representative of Henry Aldred late of the County:”

• William Eakins and Elizabeth, his wife, the late Elizabeth Aldred [most say this is a daughter.]
• Jacob Riots and Polly, his wife, the late Polly Aldred.
• John Strickler and Margaret, his wife, the late Margaret Aldred.
• Emilia/Emily Waters, the late Emelia Aldred.
• Olner or Oliver? Aldred
• Alfred Aldred
• The heirs of Sally Lockhart, late Sally Aldred, deceased.
• The heirs of John Aldred, decased.
• The heirs of David Aldred, deceased.

The Patriot died in 1835 and was buried at McColm Cemetery on Brush Creek. 

Sources:

1. Revolutionary War Pension file S44291
2. Official roster III: Soldiers of the American Revolution who lived in the State of Ohio. Wilbur R. Branthoover, compiler. Veterans Affairs, Ohio. Reprinted by the Ohio Society Daughters of the American Revolution (OHSDAR), 1959.