William H. Pickens (1748 - 1835)

Born 5 Oct 1748 in Augusta County, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Nancy Craig — married about 1767 in South Carolina, United States

Husband of Jane (Hamilton) Pickens — married 29 Feb 1776 in Abbeville, South Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died 6 May 1835 at age 86 in Maury, Tennessee, United States

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Biography

William was born in 1748. He passed away in 1835.

Military FROM 1 AUG 1775 TO 1789. South Carolina. Note: William was the first cousin of Andrew Pickens, a hero of the American Revolution in the Carolinas, and certainly did his share. He served under Captain Thomas Langdon and Colonel Drayton at the battles of Ninety-Six and Reedy River in 1776, before he returned home to get married. On 1 July 1777 he enlisted as an Indian spy under Captain John Pickens and was in a small battle on the Savannah River. During February 1779, William served under Captain Robert Anderson and his cousin Colonel Andrew Pickens at the battle of Kettle Creek, one of the most important American victories in Georgia. In 1781, he was transferred to Captain Robert Caruthers and was in the siege of the British fort at Ninety-Six, the only European style siege of the Revolution. Until moving to Tennessee, he continued to serve with his cousin, now General Pickens, in various campaigns against the British, Tories and their allied Cherokee Indians.

William made the following statement to support his pension application, #S3699. (Enc #797): "Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. State of Tennessee, Maury County. On this 16 day of Sept. 1833 personally appeared in open court before James Hughes, John Mack and John C. Wormley, Esquires, Justices of the said court, being the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions now sitting for the county of Maury in the State of Tennessee, WILLIAM PICKENS, aged about eighty four (84) years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. He states that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That about the first of August 1776 he volunteered in the State of South Carolina, Abbeville District in the company of Thomas Langdon, William Bowles, Lieutenant, and the whole commanded by Col. Drayton. Stated he did not volunteer for any specific time. They marched to Ninety Six at which place they were stationed, or near that place until the 19-th of November of the same year at which time the battle of Ninety Six was fought and in which battle his applicant was engaged, after which time they were marched to Long Fork on Saluda River and were engaged in scouting until they marched to Reedy River and routed the Tories that were encamped there. This was abut the last of December in the same year, at which time they were discharged. The discharge was not in writing. The following year the Indians commited depredations and this applicant together with many families were compelled to erect a fort for their safety and defence called FORT INDEPENDENCE. He was stationed at this fort abut ttwo or three months during which time he was constantly engared as a spy. In October 1777 he marched to Seneca as a guard at a treaty with the Indians; remained there a week; no treaty was effected. Returned to Fort Independance and remained there until May 1778. Marched to Due West Corner as guard at a treaty with the Indians, remained about two weeks, when a treaty was effected. He was then discharged. In Fabruary 1779 he volunteered in Abbeville District in a company commanded by Captain Robert Anderson, Colonel Andrew Pickens and General Andrew Williamson. Marched to Savannah River, where a battle was fought with the Tories; pursued the Tories to Kettle Creek in Georgia where they overtook and defeated the. He was then discharged. This tour was about a month. In the spring or early summer of 1780 again volunteered under Captain Robert Anderson and joined General Greene at Ninety Six, remined until the siege was raised and Greene marched to Charleston. Was transferred to a company of Ranges commanded by Captain Carruthers and Lieutenant Francis Carlile. This company ranged upon the frontiers about five months. Was then discharged and returned home. He states that he had no documentary evidence of services and knows no living person by whom he can prove his services. States he was born in Virginia in Augusta County in 1749, but what time in that year he does not know. The records of his birth was destroyed by Indians but from information from is parents and others he believes that he was born in that year. His father removed to Abbeville district, South Carolina when his applicant was bout fifteen (15) years of age at which place he resided until the year 1807 when applicant removed to Maury County, Tennessee where he now does and ever since resided He herby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present. Thomas A. Foster, Clerk. Signed his mark. WILLIAM (X) PICKENS. Supplementary statement (Affidavit) amed April 23, 1834 signed by himself. States he served four months in 1776 from August To December. Served four months in 1777, July and October under CAPTAIN JOHN PICKENS, and William Bloes, Lieutenant. Served on month in 1779, and five months in 1780. AFFIDAVIT: We, ANDREW SMITH, a Clergyman residing in the county of Maury and State of Tennessee, and ASHLEY MOORE, residing in the same, hereby certify that we are acquainted with WILLIAM PICKENS who has suscribed and sworn to the above declaration and the we believ him to be about 84 years old. That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed. ANDREW SMITH ASHELY MOORE. Certificate of pension was issued May 16, 1834 at rate of $46.66 per annum, to commence March 4, 1831. Apprears $163.33. Last payment bade to ALEX MEECE, attorney, October 1834.".

Property: land on Middleton's Creek. 1785 Ninety-Six District, South Carolina. Note: The land was adjacent to a plat laid out for his cousin, General Andrew Pickens. 134 acres of land. 21 SEP 1812. Maury County, Tennessee. Note: This was part of grant 163, the Porterfield Grant.

Sources

• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LZTH-3RM

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65349384/william-pickens : accessed 28 December 2021), memorial page for William Pickens (5 Oct 1748–6 May 1835), Find a Grave Memorial ID 65349384, citing Pickens Family Cemetery, Marshall County, Tennessee, USA