Pension File
The postal markings are not available.
Letter:
To the Commissioners of Pension.
The application of Isaac Thrasher of Hawkins Co. Ten.
Would respectfully show that his military service for the United States is as follows: --
I, Isaac Thrasher, (as I have been informed) was born two days sail from
land, when my parents came to the United States, and my parents first
settled near Harper’s Ferry, at a place called Bullskin; from thence
they removed, taking me along with them to Guilford Co. N.C. and settled on
Little Buffalo Creek in that Co. I was in that County, and in my sixteenth
year, when the British was ravaging western Carolina, and by the advice of
my grandfather I served in my father’s (William) name in Capt. Hugh
Forbush’s foot compy. And under his command, I was in the Battle of
King’s Mountain, and shot at the enemy four or five times; this was in
October 1780, as I now remember, Ned Whit, after this battle took my place
in the Compy. (in consequence of my being injured by sticking a thorn thru
my moccasin) and I was released from further duty in that war.
After the Revolution and my father’s death, I came to what was then as now
Washington Co. Te. 56 years ago, or thereabouts; and was in said County on
the breaking out of the War of 1812. In October 1813, I volunteered under
Capt. Jacob Hartsell of said County. And served a four month campaign in
that war, and was honorably discharged. This service was mainly performed
at and near Ft. Armstrong, which fort I helped to build.
After the campaign I resided in said County, until Sept of the year
1814, when I was drafted in a detachment of infantry under Lt. Peter
Miller (was of 40 men) and was marched to Knoxville, and then mustered into
service for a six months campaign under Capt. Larson & Wm. Johnson.
After remaining at Knoxville a short time, we took up the line of March for
Mobile, Ala.; we arrived at lookout Mountain, on the Tennessee River
below Knoxville, and then was about the 1st of October, Lt. Miller was
detailed from said compy. with about 25 men, to transport munitions
inbetween that place and the Forts on the Coosa River in Alabama. I was
marched and we reached Ft. Strother, where we rested, the march being very
fatiguing and injurious to the health of the soldiers. We then started on,
after having remained a few days, but the labor and fatigue of the march
were too great for me, and I gave out on the way, from exhaustion,
sickness, and the pains induced from exposure and fatigue. This was about
the last of October, or 1st Nov. 1814; and when we had reached within about
10 miles of Ft. Claiborne, the Captain sent me, with one Wm. Gunn to act as
nurse, to the Fort to be put in the hospital at that place. I remained in
the hospital, lying on my back and almost on the ground, (for the hospital
was merely an open shed built of pine logs) for about two months. There
were about 66 in these quarters; with little attention or doctoring; and
had it not have been for a strong constitution, and a cheerful spirit I
would have died, as many others did. As it was I somewhat recovered and
when Lt. Miller, about the 10 Jany, ’15 came along, collecting the
recovering soldiers, I concluded to go on, for I disliked to stay at such a
hospital; and in compy. with Lt. Miller, I went to Mobile, and there
remained, and did some duty, and remained there until the 2nd March 1815,
when we were furloughed for discharge to Jonesboro Te. whilst at Mobile, my
right knee swelled up, and I was again rendered probably unfit for duty;
I was taken with pains in my right hip, in fact I found that I was
afflicted generally with rheumatism. When I was discharged I was still
afflicted with these pains; and I have been afflicted more or less with it
ever since. I resided in Washington Co. about 12 years after the service; I
then removed to Green Co. where I lived some 7 years; when I removed to
Hawkins Co. adjoining and near Washington, where I have ever since resided,
over about 25 years. I state further that my afflictions began to cripple
me so much that I mostly followed the business of a shoemaker being less
exposed; but the rheumatism gradually increased upon me until for over 25
years I have been a complete cripple; have to hobble about with a staff; my
right leg & thigh are most disabled but I am more or less afflicted all
over my body with pains of a Rheumatic character; live in a valley beyond
Bay’s Mountain, and own not a particle of property out of which I can make
a living. Some eight or ten years ago, I had some papers drawn up to apply
for a pension, but I was taken very low, and lay some time, and I
neglected to have my case fully drawn up. I was also determined to get
along as long as I could without making application from a feeling of
pride. I was in the Revolution and twice out in the War of 1812, and I have
some cause to boast; but now I am utterly helpless, and being in my 95th
year, am likely to become a burden upon the support & kindness of my
friends. I ask a pension on account of the disabilities I now suffer, and
which were originally contracted whilst a soldier in Capt. Lawson’s Compy.
in the War of 1812; and I herewith present the best proofs I can adduce
of my injuries, for my officers, and comrades being either all dead, or
removed to parts unknown, I cannot furnish any additional proof at present
than the statements of Lt. Miller & Jos’ Brill [?] which are herewith filed.
I therefore most respectfully ask that the commissioner of Pensions will
put my name upon the Pension List. Roll of the Jonesboro Te. Agency, at
such dates as shall be certified and that he will recognize A.G. Graham, of
Jonesboro Te. as my agent & file this claim. & present it to the
consideration of the proper department.
/s/ Isaac Thrasher
Sworn and subscribed before me 28 Jan. 1860 I certify that
I believe that said Isaac Thrasher is the identical
person he represents himself to be as
above; and that I am not interested in the
claim.
/s/ Henry, Hoss
Justice of the Peace
Notes:
Isaac Thrasher was born ca1764 and died 1870 in Hawkins
Co. TN. There is an article on him in the book Families of Hawkins Co. TN
1786-1994 and a mention of him in the book Our Thrasher Heritage.
The Thrasher Heritage book says:
“Issac H Thrasher, SR (1767 - 1863) Not much is known of this Isaac
Thrasher except he was born about 1767, and died in 1870, in Hawkins Co,
Tenn.” So they list his death as 1863 and 1870 in the same paragraph.
He is known to have 9 children. No one is believed to have “proved”
his wife as yet.
In the 1860 Hawkins Co. Census, he is living with daughter Cassandra
Christian. Wife of Thomas Jefferson Christian. At that time he is listed as
93 years old. That implies he was born ca.1767.
Letter from the National Archives.
See: THRASHER, Isaac, Old War IF-#288, srv Capt. Lawson’s Co TN Mil Pvt.
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