The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: VA
Qualifying Service: Private / Patriotic Service
Author: John R Hamilton
The data given here is from the Revolutionary War pension claim by James Hamilton, which is filed in the National Archives, Washington D.C. (File S4320), which was copied there on December 27, 1954. He also filed claim for pension in the County Court of Lee County, Virginia, February 18, 1833, also in the Court of McMinn County, Tennessee, May 23, 1835.
Reference is also made of this James Hamilton, by Lenora Higginbotham Sweeney, in her book, "Amherst Virginia in the Revolution".
From ‘HAMILTON, James--Pension Claim’: "Some months before the British took Richmond, Virginia, James Hamilton enlisted and served six months as a Private in Captain Richard Bollinger's Company, Colonel Pope's Virginia Regiment, during which period of service he marched to Richmond, and then to Rockett's Landing, where he was stationed to prevent the enemy from entering the river. He was drafted for the above six months period in 1781.
After his return home he served another three months in Captain John Diggs' Company, under Colonel Pope, one month in Captain Dawson's Company, and a short time, nine or ten days in Captain John Jacob's Company. Specific dates of these different tours not mentioned.
The soldier resided several years after the War in Amherst County, Virginia, then moved to Augusta County where he remained about five years and while there he married. He moved from Augusta County to Botetourt County, and remained there about three years; and then moved to Wythe County and lived there about seven or eight years, and about the year 1813, moved to Russell County, Virginia. He was allowed pension on his application executed February 18, 1833, at which time he resided in Lee County, Virginia, to which county he moved from Russell County, Virginia, about four years previously, (1829).
In 1835, the soldier had moved from Virginia to McMinn Country Tennessee. He stated then that he had lost his wife and wished to remain with his children who had moved from Virginia to Tennessee He did not give the name of his wife, nor the names of the children.
A more complete and fuller statement of the War services of James Hamilton is to be found in the court records of Lee Country Virginia, were he applied for pension, February 18, 1833.
"States he was born in Orange Country, Virginia, January 15, 1757. Removed to Amherst Country, Virginia, at the age of 15 (1772) were he took the oath of allegiance to the American
Government. " The Whigs " were divided into ten classes, and everybody in the Country came forward to the Courthouse, drew a number and according to number drawn was placed in one or the other of the ten classes. He drew number 6, and was called out a few months before Richmond was taken by Cornwallis, as a Private under Captain Richard Prior, marched to Richmond where the "Rope Works, Magazine, Smith Shops and all public works were destroyed and guns spiked and rolled into the James River by Cornwallis.
Second tour under Captain John Diggs, Lieutenant Eads, and Colonel John Pope.
Third tour, substituted Edward Masters, the apprenticed with him at the "HATTING BUSINESS". Gave him a thousand dollars in Continental money and a blanket. Next, or fourth tour, under Captain Watson, Lieutenant Watts, at Albemarle Barracks. Next or fifth tour, guard to British Tories in Augusta County under Captain John Jacobs. He understood the Tories were taken to Nova Scotia.
After the Revolution he moved to Augusta County and learned the "Hatters Trade" where he married, and thence to Botetourt Country; from there to Wythe Country; thence to Russell Country, and then to Lee Country, Virginia.
His eldest daughter, Mrs. Doughty (Dougherty), is 53 years old. May 23, 1835, he appeared in McMinn Country, Tennessee, Court, and declared he was the same James Hamilton who was placed on the Virginia Pension roll and wished to be transferred to the above state as his wife had died, and come to live with his children. He died February 6, 1844, leaving only child, Wyatt Hamilton. (From: "Amherest county, Virginia in the Revolution" by Lenora Higginbotham Sweeney.) Wyatt Hamilton made affidavits in McMinn Country, Tennessee, in 1835 and 1838, but did not state his relationship to the soldier.
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