Shadrach HOLT, R5185, West Tenn. #30765, $20/year issued 19 July 1836. Martha HOLT, widow claim rejected. 4 Nov. 1832 Bedford County, Tenn. Shadrach HOLT, aged 79 on the ninth of December, states that his parents gave his birth date as December 1753 in Culpepper County, Va. In the spring of 1779 he was a resident of Orange County, N.C. and was drafted. His family was indisposed and he hired a substitute. In June 1779 he was again drafted and as his family still remained unwell and disagreeably situated he hired a man named Thomas WILLIS to substitute, and WILLIS was killed at the battle of Camden, better known as Gates’ Defeat. In the fall of 1779 his horse and gun was pressed into service but he resisted the call to troops, stating what he had already done for his Country as above state. He was informed that his own services could not be required, but his arms and other property could. He accordingly volunteered to serve occasionally when called upon. he served mainly in Orange and Cumberland counties in Virginia under Capt. Edward GWIN, and was discharged in 1782 near Wilcoxes Iron Works near Deep River in North Carolina. During his service he was in several skirmishes with the Tories under Capt. FANNING. On the day of battle of Guilford he was 25 miles away and heard the cannon He and his group were in pursuit of Capt. FANNING who was said to be leading 1,000 men to the aid of CORNWALLIS. Joshua HOLT of Bedford County states he was born in the same neighborhood where Shadrach HOLT lived. He recalls Col. William O’NEILL and others mustering to pursue FANNING in Orange County. Clergyman Humphrey C. FERGUSON of Bedford County vouches for the character of the applicant.
28 June 1833 Franklin County. Jacob RICH, a lieutenant in the revolution, aged 70, vouches for HOLT’s services against the Tories. John R. PATRICK J.P. vouches for the character of RICH. 13 June 1833 Bedford County, Tenn. Shadrach HOLT Sr., clarifies length of service. States that he remained in the service until the war’s end because the Whigs were thought to be more safe in the army than at home. He cannot read but believes his discharge showed he has served two years and nine months. A letter from his cousin, a son of his uncle Michael HOLT of Orange County, N.C., states that Michael HOLT could read and write and kept a record of Shadrach’s father’s family in his Bible, which shows Shadrach’s birth as 12 Sept. 1753. He lived in Orange County during the war and then removed to Georgia, after which he settled in Bedford County, Tenn. Willis GREEN and William CULLEY state they have known HOLT for 15 years. 2 July 1836 Shelbyville, Tenn. John H. ANDERSON to Pension Office. Shadrach HOLT is too old and inform to travel to obtain the testimony of the only known living witness to his service, a Mr. PERKINS of Williamson County, Tenn. HOLT will therefore accept a pension for a shorter term of service than originally claimed.
25 July 1840 Franklin County Martha HOLT, a resident of this county aged 84, states she is the widow of pensioner Shadrach HOLT who died 15 April 1838. they were married in March 1775 and had three children at the time of the battle of Guilford, which was near her residence at the time. She appointed George H. PARKER of Weakly County, Tenn. as her attorney. James BYRON, Justice of the County Court vouches for the character of Martha HOLT. John LOKEY, a resident of Franklin County, states that he married the second child of Martha HOLT and his wife is now 62 years of age and they have great-grandchildren who are the great great grandchildren of Martha HOLT. The eldest child of his wife is now 43. Martha HOLT resides with his family.
1 July 1852 Franklin County. Jacob REYNOLDS aged 60 states he was acquainted with Shadrach and Martha HOLT and their oldest child, Nancy LOKY, whom he believes to be more than 10 years older than himself. He further states that Martha HOLT died 28 Nov. 1846. Mrs. Elizabeth BYRON aged 62 states she is a daughter and one of the heirs at law of Martha HOLT. The other heirs and children were Nancy LOKY and Elijah HOLT. James BYRON aged 64 states he is acquainted with Elijah HOLT, son of Shadrach and Margaret HOLT, and knows him to be older than himself. He has known Nancy LOKY for more than 40 years, and believes she is at least 70, for she is a very old woman.
23 Dec. 1852 Orange County, N.C. Clerk states the earliest marriage bond is dated 1781 and only one recorded for that year. He has no record of Shadrach HOLT to Martha Salinger. William JACKSON S4433 West Tenn. #13840 $43.66/year issued 26 June 1833.