Liles, John

Pension Number: Georgia S. 47930 (Pension Documentation Length, 32 Pages)

Territory of Florida, Escambia County

On this the fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand, eighteen hundred and thirty-eight, before me, Charles Evans, Judge of the County court of Escambia County in said Territory, personally appeared John Liles, commonly known as John Lyless at his residence, about fifty miles from the City of Pensacola in said County. Said Liles being a resident of said county and age about eighty-three years; who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated – At the age of eighteen he belonged to a company of Horse, engaged in operating against the Cherokee Indians – When the Revolutionary War broke out, he was among the refregees (as they were called) and was appointed a Captain of Infantry, having been drafted into the Militia before the British got possession of any part of South Carolina. He was then stationed at Augusta, Georgia, under Gen. Williamson. James Liles, eldest brother of this declarant being the Col. of the Regiment – other field officers not remembered. Declarant served three months in this corps until the battle of Stono under Gen. Lincoln. He was soon after appointed a Capt. of Cavalry and served as such for two years and a half; after which he was promoted to Major and in this rank he served until the end of the war – When Gen. Sumpter took the field against the British, Col. James Liles was appointed Colonel of the Regiment to which declarant belonged. . . . Declarant born at Ninety-six District, South Carolina, about 180 miles from Charleston, June 15, 1755, and was living there when he was first drafted into the Infantry. . . . While in the Infantry he was in the Battle of Stono, under Lincoln. Afterwards he was in the battle of Hanging Rock under Sumpter, in the battle of the Cowpens under Morgan and in the battle of Eutaw Springs under Green. He was in several battles and skirmishes of less importance. He never served out of South Carolina except as Capt. of Infantry at Augusta. . . . Said declarant was never in a corps embodied with the Continental troops – After the battle of Stono the declarant went home and was there a month or more, he remained in the service during the whole of the war, until the Battle of Eutaw Springs. Documentary lost or destroyed.

Since the Revolutionary War declarant has lived mostly in the State of Georgia. About twelve years ago he moved to the State of Alabama and last fall came to this county where he now resides. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any state.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid John Liles

Charles Evans

Judge, County Court Es. Co.

Comptrollers Office of South Carolina

I certify that the following Indents were issued to John Lyles viz.

In Book X No. 1819 – Issued March 4th, 1786, to John Lyles for $206.10 for duty as a Captain of Horse in the Militia – amount audited £206.10(sic.) – On referring to the account it appears that it was presented for 75 days of service on foot and 398 days on horseback. The Commissioners reduced the same and issued the Indents for 56 days service as Captain of foot and 365 days as Captain of Horse.

In Book X No. 3320 Issued 18th July, 1786, to John Lyles for £9-1-9 ¼ for forage for Contl. and Militia as (illegible) from the Commissioners.

Given under my hand and seal at Charleston, S. C., this 16th April, 1838.

Wm. Ed. Haynes, Comptroller Genl.

Official Record

John Liles

Certificate No. 31553, Florida, Escambia County, issued Nov. 14,1838, at the rate of $337.33 per annum to commence March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832 (paper torn) Agency Tallahassee, Fla.

Service: Capt. of Horse in the Militia.