{ United States of America
{ Williamson County State of Tennessee
{ To wit May 19, 1854,
{ This day personally appeard before me, Shadarak A. Reed, an acting Justice of the Peace of the County afore said, Collin McDaniel, Esquire, after claiming the right of a creditable witness, having entered his 86th year, since the 31st of October last,
Who deposeth and saith That to the best of his recollection That some time in the year 1779, or so, My elder Brother, William McDaniel of Halifax County, Virginia, went a tour in the army to Gwinns [sic] Island, Where it was said a Battle was fought, at which place, his command was that of a Lieutenant. I was at home when he started to Gwinns [sic] Island, and also when he returned. I well recollect the circumstance, as I was confined at home during the time (and for two years with a white swelling on my ankle). Though I was very young at the time, I can now better recollect circumstances that happened then than I can things that has taken place long since, or of later years, and about that time every person, young and old, in the Country was under great excitement about the War of the Colonies against England and the scenes and passing events of War Battle. It made and left a lasting impression on all and every one.
Early in the Spring of 1780 – My Brother William Marched on with his company to North Carolina. Commanded his company as a Captain. They Marched to Guilford Court House Where a severe Battle was fought. Genl Green being then, or there, the Commander in Chief of the army.
Who after the heavy Cannonading had ceased The Commander in chief ordered the Virginia line of troops to advance in front of the enemy, at which time My Brother said that the small arms commenced fire and in a few moments, or a short time, it appeared to him like the very Heavens and earth were coming together. My Brother William spoke frequently after his return of the fatigues at Battle and want of water in the time of the Battle at Guilford. He said he at length found some water and dipped up some with his two hands and drank. He said the British fired several balls at him while drinking and some one or two balls cut through his wearing apparel. At that great Battle of Guilford, My Brother William McDaniel’s conduct gave him great applause among his company, the soldiers on the Whig side and also through the Country generally for his Bravery as they said. This said Battle of Guilford to the best my recollection was fought early in the Spring of 1780. The wind set fair and I heard the Cannon.
After that My Brother William Marched on to Charleston, South Carolina. After his arrival in South Carolina the Battle of Stono was fought, at which place his Lieutanant, Doctor Irby was killed. I also saw a part of the fractured Thigh Bone of Dr Irby’s, My Brother’s Lieutenant, brought back to Virginia that his family and friends might see it. After my Brother William’s return from South Carolina I heard him express sensations of melancholy regret, for the loss of his Lieutenant, Dr Irby, who he said was a brave and Gallant Officer. Said he himself was very sick at the time of the Battle of Stono, not able to walk.
I was at home when my Brother William returnd from the wars in South Carolina, &c. Saw his Military Clothing, sword &c.
After his return I saw him pick up a letter and read it, it was a letter that he had written home to our Mother and family while he was in the service of his Country, Stating the situation of the army after the Battle at Guilford, he said I wrote this letter in a great hurry sitting on a log.
After the war was over, I got the silver from my Brother William that was on his sword, as he said the sword was useless to him after the war was over, it was a fine sword. He came home from the war dressed in Military Clothing (true Whig). I had three Brothers fought in the Revolutionary War against the British, My Brother Clement McDaniel has been dead some 20 years, I understood he received a pension for Military services during Genl Jackson’s Administration before his death, he died in Shelby County Tennessee, about the year 1834. Brother William Married Miss Martha Winston of North Carolina, daughter of Col. Joseph Winston that fought in several Battles in the Revolutionary War, King Mountain SC.
My Brother William McDaniel died 34 years since at the age of sixty two, his Widow died in the western district in the year 1834, or about 20 years since aged 66 years. They left the following Children, Joseph, Alfred W, Winston, Samuel, Fountain L, and a daughter married a Mr. Pugh of Virginia. To the best of my belief and recollection, My Brother William must have served two campaigns or tours. The first according to my recollection in the year 1779 or early in 1780, as a Lieutenant. The time he went a tour to Gwinns [sic] Island and the following tour to the Battles of Guilford and Stono in South Carolina, &c.
I very well remember that he was a greateal from home in the army. I was confined with a white swelling two years, which confinement served to assist my Memory. I cannot well recollect whether My Brother belonged to the Continental line, State troops, or Malitia. My strong impression is that him and his Company went Voluntarily as he was a Military Man and appeard anxious to go and be in the Army. He was a goodeal from home engaged in the service of his Country and stayed more than six months, altogether this I am certain of.
Brother William married Miss Winston About the year 1784. I lived with them in the year 1785, during the time I was there (one year) her father, Brothers and sisters, Elizabeth Winston, afterwards the wife of Governor Robert Williams of Mississippi Terrytory, visited her and remained some time, My Brother and his wife Martha. Son Alfred W. McDaniel, lives in Natchez Mi. Samuel lives in Obion County Te. Joseph (dead), his heirs live in, I believe, Obion County Te. Winston (dead), his Widow Lydia Winchester McDaniel and their daughter Mrs. Hall, live in Sumner County Te. and Fountain L lives in Sumner County Te. and their (or My Brother’s daughter) Mrs Ann Pugh, lives in Halifax County Virginia. I am as certain they were Married, as if I seen them, or heard the ceremony. They lived together faithfully as man and wife for a number of years and raised a respectable family … … And further this deponent Saith not … Sworn to and subscribed before Me the day and date above written.
/s/ Collin McDaniel
We the undersined Acting Justices of the Peace For Said County Do Certify That We have Been well acquainted with Collin McDaniel About 35 years, that we know him to be A sober honest himinded honerable man. He Was Acting Justice of The Peace of The A Fore Said County upwards of 30 years. He is A Man of undouted verasity and uncommon recolection. He Retains His Mind and memory uncommonly well.
Given under our Hands and seales this day and date Above ritten./s/ R. J. Ballow} Acting Justice of the Peace
}
/s/ S. W. Reed} Acting Justice of the Peace
We the undersigned have frequently during our lives, for as back as we can recollect heard our father Collin McDaniel, speak of his Brother’s Military service in the Revolutionary War, and he always said about the same, that he has given in evidence. It appeard to be a subject that he continued to dwell on and seemed never to get out of date with him and from his conversation always seemed to regret that he was not quite old enough to have been in service himself in the Revolutionary War, and said (he himself belonged to a spy company that went from Georgia in the Spring of 1784, and was one of the defenders of Knoxv and Sparks Fort on the (Indian War) Oconee River.
/s/ Mary J Garnett
/s/ William McDaniel
Transcribed, as written, 08/15/2005 by Sidney E. Johnson, Gallatin, Tennessee, and is presented “as is.” All rights are reserved and copyright ? is claimed for this transcription and for acquisition and conversion of accompanying images from NARA. Commercial use of this material, by any means, is strictly prohibited without expressed written permission of Sidney E. Johnson, his heirs, or assigns. Permission is granted, for personal non-commercial use, to lineal and collateral descendants of William M. McDaniel, Jr., Captain, Virginia Militia, War of Revolution, with acknowledgement to this researcher.