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: Captain / Patriotic Service
James Shelton did not live long enough to receive a pension, therefore little is known about his war experiences. His Company of Riflemen, serving with the 64th Regiment from Henry County, saw service with the 5th Virginia Militia. He first entered the militia service in 1777 and resigned his commission in July 1780. Testimony from others who served under him indicate that his unit was involved in several actions against Tory forces in Virginia. He also performed patriotic service by paying special taxes, along with his father and brothers, for the government of the United States in its war with England. He evidently fought illness quite early in life, as he wrote his Will while “sick and weak in body” on 14 May 1784. He died sometime shortly after writing his Will and is buried in an unknown, unmarked grave somewhere in Henry County, Virginia.
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Additional Information:
DAR has spouse's surname as unknown and date of death as before 26 May 1785