WAR OF 1812 PENSION RECORD FOR JOHN STROTHER GAINES SULLIVAN COUNTY, TENNESSEE

(submitted by Donna Bray)

Sullivan Co., Tennessee Pensions. Old Book at Mid Continent Library (Independence Mo.) pp 53.54 This is an old typed copy of some records from Sullivan Co., Tenn. Typed all in caps, with many misspellings and errors (typeovers, lack of punctuation, etc).

Page 53

John Strother Gaines and Letitia Dalton Gaines. He was a Private in Capt. David G. Vance’s Co. of the Tenn. Militia; Enlisted Dec 1 1812 discharged March 25 1813 the War of 1812, Soldier Original No. 4688 Certificate 5393 Widow’s Original 30408, Cert. No. 29119. Residence of Soldier 1852 to 1855 Sullivan Co., Tn. 1871 Arcadia Sullivan Co., Tenn. Widow’s residence 1879 Eatons Ridge, Post Office Arcadia, Sullivan Co., Tenn. Her Maiden name was Letitia Dalton Moore. They married June 23, 1814 Eatons’ Ridge Tenn. He died Aug 31, 1879 Eatons Ridge, TN.

John S. Gaines was age 78 when he applied 1871 March 25 a resident of Arcadia Sullivan co., Tn. He was in three engagements in Florida and was sometime at Camp Pinkney on St. Mary River.

The Widow made Application in Sullivan Co., Tn. age 82 in Nov 29 1879. He volunteered at Knoxville Tn, he was age 17 when he enlisted He was born in Patrick Co., Va.: They were married Eaton’s Ridge Sullivan Co., Tn. June 23 1814 by Thomas Trower a Minister of the Gospel, and he died at Eaton’s Ridge Tenn. 31 Aug 1879. Since his discharge they lived at Eatons Ridge Tenn. and for a few years at Holston Springs, Scott Co., Va. The Courthouse in Sullivan Co. Tenn. was burned 22 Sept. 1863. The clerk states all the marriage records and papers pertaining thereto belonging to the county of Sullivan was destroyed by fire in the burning of the courthouse of said date. Affidavit of Franklin Gaines, Jan 26 1880 and stated that he was present when John Strother Gaines departed this life which was 31 Aug 1879. Affidavit by E. P. Gaines stated he was present also. Also affidavit of Jathen N. Sumner made in Sullivan Co., Tn. 1880 states he was also present when he died. Also affidavit of George W. Pratt who states he was present when he died.

In Sullivan Co., Tenn. 29 Jan. 1852 John Strother Gaines, age 57, then states He Volunteered against the Seminole Indians in Florida. Volunteered in Knoxville Tenn. 1812 and discharged at Camp Pinckney, Georgia, April 1 1813…. again 1853 23 Nov, another paper was filed and stated similar to the above.

One Sterling Cocke made affidavit in Hawkins co., Tenn. 11 July 1854 stating, age 65, and that he volunteered in Knoxville against the Seminole Indians in Florida and became personally acquainted with John S. Gaines from Sullivan co., Tenn.

(end of Gaines pension record.)