(5) Emma C. Turner; md. Kenneth Raliegh, slo ... - Kentucky Kinfolk

On the 12thday of May, personally appeared in open court before this Justice of this
County of Perry now sitting, David May, a resident of said County of Perry, aged 70 years.,who
being first duly sworn according to law, does onhis oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain the benefit ofthe Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the Service ofthe United States as a Volunteer for three months in Halifax
Town, Pittsylvania County, Va., under Capt. Wm. McDaniel & Lt. Clem McDaniel in the
Spring before Gates defeat marched from there and crossed the Staunton River at Dick's Ferry;
before they got to the ferry met other companies at different points Militia and Regular, crossed
the Catawba River at the old Nation Ford, passed W. Lynch Tavern before got to Catawba
River where we were also joined by some troops- passed Bush's River and on to the main Army
under Genl. Gates ( & perhaps Genl. Pinckney, as the name is recollected somewhere) about 8
or 10 miles from the battleground- and was in the Battle at Gate's defeat and was a guard of the
baggage - the Army retreated and many were slain in the swamp. After they left the Battle -
ground- returned afterward home and was discharged by Capt. Wm. McDaniel for three months.
(*It appears David May was quite a young soldier at the time).
Shortly afterward, he entered the service again for three months as a substitute for Thos.
James, under Caotain Spencer Shelton, Lt. Ebenezer Hall, & Ensign James __ . They met at
Wilson's old mill in Pittsylvania Co., Va. The Commander of the Regiment not recollected, but
the Major was Major Robert. Williams until he was either broke or resigned, then Major
Alexander Rose, Genl. Green, he recollects- they stayed 2 weaks at Wilson's mill, then went on
by Salisbury & Charlotte to the seige of96. Recollects Col. Lee, Washington, & - He
was in the Battle at the Seige and in the ditch with many others when about 60 were killed &
wounded. He himself was wounded in the thigh- He recollects a few days before the Seige had
to retreat the county. Had gone to seige and a man passed them on a white horse and raised a
flag; the gate was opened they went in & great rejoicing was heard- at the Retreat when we
crossed Broad River a Line of Battle was formed expecting the enemy but they only came to the
River& did not cross- In a few days he was taken with the Smallpox and was able to do no more
service until at least a month after his term had expired- he got his discharge for three months
but could not go home for 4 months.
He hereby relinquishes his every claim whatever to a pension or except the
present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn
to & Subscribed this day & year aforesaid.
DAVID MAY (his own signature)
Daniel Duff, a Clergyman, residing in Perry Co., certified that he was well acquainted with David May
believed him to be reputable and believed he was a soldier of the Revolution and that he was 70 yrs. Old.
8 Sept" 1834, Roger Turner & Edward Polly appeared in court and certified that the court, after
investigation and interrogation by the War Department in the matter, certify that David May was a
Revolutionary Soldier and served as he said he did and that they all believe he is entiltled to credit.
Edward Polly swore under oath that he knew David May well in the Revolutionary War and served wit
him a tour of three months under Capt. Spencer Shelton. He swore and subscribed to the testimony on 3 rd •
August, 1833.
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