THE BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN
I don’t know the history of this battle very well, but some people are saying that “Amos Church” was not at the battle of “Kings Mountain”. I have found a listing of people who were there. I don’t know if it is a complete list, as I would think that there would be more there than is on this list. However “Amos Church” is on it, along with a “Joel Stamper” which could very well be kin to Amos’s mother, if her name was Stamper. This name for her , if I remember right, was carried down by word of mouth.. I don’t think that there is any documentation for her name.
(Raymond Church)
OFFICERS
Allison, Robert, Capt Buchanan, William, Capt. Bryan. John, Capt. Boys William, Capt Chisolm, Elijah, Capt. Carnes John, Capt. Cavett Moses, Christie Colonel Donelson John, Capt. Evans Nathaniel, Capt. Fain John, Captain Gibson James, Capt. Gillespie George, Col. Gambrel Captain Harrison Michael, Capt. Hicks William, Capt. Hoskins Ninnam, Capt. Keys John, Captain Kyle Robert, Capt. Mall, Peter, Capt Morgan Charles, Capt. McNabbJohn, Capt. Robertson, Elijah Roddye, James, Capt. Ridley, George, Capt Sherrill William, Capt. Shelby James, C Smith Ezekial, Capt. Stewart, Thomas, Major Wilfong, George, Major Warren, Captain
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Adair John Alexander William Arney, Christia Ayers Elihu Burns,David Billings. Jasper Brotherton, Thomas Bryan, Robert Ballard, Devereau Barker. Hezekiah Bickley, William Brooks Littleto Beattie, Joseph Bolick, Casper Bowles, Benjamin Cavett, Richard Condry, William Cooper, James Cross, William Cross, Abraham Callaway, Joseph Chapman, Joseph * ( Church, Amos ) * _ Cline, Michael Cole, Jobe Chandler, Bailey Dunsmore, James Denman, John Dickenson, Isham Dobson, John Fry, Phillip Ferguson, Joseph Foster, Anthony Gabriel, James Gilbreath, Alexander Goodlett, Willi Gregory, William Henry, David Haas, John Haas, Simon Hahn, Joshua Hahn, Benedict Hammons, Benjamin Hammons, John Harris, William Hofner, Nicholas Hunt, Abraham Hunt, John Hardmark, Charles Johnson, George Sr. Johnson William King Thomas Keeton Hezekiah Kuykendal Simon Leeper Matthew Laws David Lutz Jacob Mitchel David Montgomery John Morgan Benjamin Proffit, Pleasant Parks, John Powell, William Simms, Littlepage Simpson, William Stevenson, Setzer, John Shell, Michael Sherrill, Uriah Sigmon, Palsor Simpson, William Rose, Sterling Rumfeld, Henry Scurlock, James Schultz, Martin Smith, Jones Smool, James Sparks, John Spicer, William * Stamper, Joel * Summerlin, William Swanson, John Smithers, Gabriel Starnes, Peter Toliver, Jesse Toliver, Moses Treadway, Robert Tippong, Conrad Turbyfill, John Vickers, Elijah Weaver, Frederick Wall, Jacob Wilson, Andrew Wilson, John Waters, Moses Whitaker, John Whitner, Abraham Whitner, Daniel White, Solomon Yoder, Conrad
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PENSION APPLICATION FOR AMOS CHURCH
Amos Church lived most of his adult life on a 150 acre farm that was adjacent to the site of the dam built in recent years to control the flood waters of the Yadkin river. It was the land originally granted to the Moravians,fought over in numerous court battles, and finally paid for at least twice by Amos and his decendants. Fifty two graves still remain in the old cemetery that spreads down the slope towards the new dam. It is through Amo's pension application, and related documents that we learn much regarding the early years of the Church family in western North Carolina. The importance of the first document is such as to merit inclusion herein in its entirity. It follows.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA WILKES COUNTY
On the 19th. day of October,in the year of our lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirity Three personally appeared before me James Wellborn, a Justice Of The Peace, and for the County of Wilkes and State aforesaid, Amos Church, resident in said County who being duly sworn according to law (for the purpose of obtaining a pension, under an act of Congress pass'd June the 7th. 1832). Deposeth and saith that he has no written evidence of his age, but believes that he was born in the State Of Virginia in the year 1758, being so informed by his parents, removed to Rowan County, North Carolina where they lived about thirteen years as this affiant was informed, and believes. They then moved to Wilkes County where this affiant has liv'd ever since.
This affiant states that in the spring of the year 1778, he volunteered and was called into service for three months under the command of Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, Capt. John Cleveland, and Lieu. Gambill, as a Private, was marched from Wilkes across the Blue Ridge to the head of New River where a division of the Company took place and Lieu. Gambill took command of the company to which this affiant was attached as Capt. We march'd down New River in pursuit of the Torries through Cox's settlement,where we captured a Tory and executed him. We then pursued them to the Virginia line and captured several of them, but did not have any engagements, we then returned home to Wilkes County where we discharged having served about five weeks, which discharge this affiant has long since lost.
This affiant futher states that in the summer of 1778 he was drafted and called into service for three months under the command of Col.Benjamin Cleveland, and Cap. Richard Allen. was marched up the Yadkin River out at its head into Burke County to what was called Criders Fort in pursuit of a Company of Tories under the command of a Tory Col. by the name of Roberts. On arriving at the Fort we were informed that the Tories had retreated towards the Catawba River. We pursued them on. When we reached the river we continued our march on down the river, and we had not gone many miles before we were fired upon by the Tories from the cliffts. The Captain of our light horse, Cap. Larkin Cleveland, was shot through the thigh. When the Tories retreated we remained along said river for several days, scouting, and guarding the country. Then we were marched back to Wilkes County and discharged for three months by our Captain. Which discharge this affaint has lost:
He futher states that in the month of October 1779 he volunteered and was called into service for three months under the command of Captian Reuben Stringer, and Lieut. Brown. We marched from Wilkes County across the Blue Ridge to Cove Creek, crossing the Stone Mountain to the Watauga River in pursuit of the above named Col. Roberts,a Tory, and his Company;.. The tories retreated before us,some miles as we understood. When our Company arrived at the Watauga River we remained there some days, engaged in scouting expeditions, and gaurding the country. Then we marched back to Wilkes having served one month, which discharge of our Captain this affiant has lost:..
He further states that in the month of November 1779 he volunteered and was called into service for three months under the command of Capt. Robert Cleveland, marched across the Blue Ridge to the South Fork of the New River at a place called The Old Fields, in pursuit of a Company of Tories: who had captured Col. Benjamin Cleveland . We pursued them across the mountains near the North Fork of said river, where we overtook them, and fired upon them, wounded one Tory, and made three prisoners, and rescued Col. Cleveland. We then returned to the Old Fields and remained a few days and returned home in ten days from the day we started...
He further states that in the month's of July, or August he served a short tour after the Indians. Commanded by Capt. Benjamin Greer, and Lieut. William Stringer... That in the month of August , or September he volunteered and was called into service for three months under the command of Col. Benjamin Cleaveland, and Capt. George Morris, marched to the Calloway Settlement on New River in pursuit of Tories,and then returned to Wilkes. This was in 1780.- He received no discharge:..
This affiant further states that in the fall of the year 1730 he volunteered for three month's and joined headquarters at Salisbury,North Carolina , under the command of Col. Lark,and Capt. William Glenn , of Virginia..We were stationed at Salisbury, Rowan County for some time when an express came on for the troop to march to Mecklenburg County where there were a number of British prisoners to guard. We were stationed there for some time when the prisoner's were taking sick, and several died... We then marched back to Salisbury, guarding the prisoner's... We were discharged by our Capt.for three months service, which discharge this affiant has lost. .
He further states that he did not return home to Wilks before he volunteered and was called into service for three months under the command of Capt. William Fletcher... There being no commanding Col.(as well as I recollect) to guard the Tory prisoners in the stockade(or kind of fort)in Salisbury,where he remained stationed for three months and received a discharge from Capt. Fletcher, which he has long since lost....
This affiant further states that in the spring or summer of 1781 he volunteered, and was called into service for three month's under the command of Capt. Joel Lewis, and marched from Wilkes County through Rowan, crossing Yadkin at the trading ford below Salisbury, passing through Randolph County to some creek,( as this affiant understood) to join Gen. Greens Army... Our Company was stationed at Cane's Creek for some time when news came for them to be marched back to Wilkes, where we were discharged for three month's, having served altogather Two years,and three month's under orders which discharge this affiant has lost...
This affiant further states that he has no documentary evidence of his service,except his brother John Church who served several tours with him... He further states that his name is not on any pension rolls of any State,and that he relinquishes all pension claims whatsoever, save that stated in his declaration....
.His X..Amos Church.. mark...
Sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice of the peace for Wilks County and State aforsaid, this 19th.day of October, A.D. 1883-J.Wellborn,J.P.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. Wilkes County.
WE, Hugh Brown, and Thomas Fletcher, being a clergyman, do swear and depose, and say that we are aquainted with Amos Church who lives in our immediate neighborhood, that he has always been reputed to have been a Whig, and soldier of The Revolutionary War,and we believe he was so, and that his veracity is unimpeach'd...Sworn to, and subscribed before me this 19th.day of October,A.D.1833..J. Wellborn,J.P..Hugh Brown..Thomas Fletcher (Clergiman)
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, Wilks County.
This day came before me, James Wellborn, as justice of the peace, in, and for,the County of Wilkes,and state aforsaid,John Church, and made oath that his age is about seventy three years, that he served in the Revolutionary War with his brother Amos Church, was with him in the expeditions to Coxs settlement,The Catawba River,and Criders Fort. To Cove Creek, and The Watauga River, against the Indians, and to the Calloway settlement. That they parted during the services, but he believes said Amos Church was frequently, if not constantly in service to the close of the war.
Sworn to and subscribed this 19th. day of October,A.D.1833.
His*John X Church *Mark
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Many years had passed between the time Amos fought in these battles, and the time he applied for his pension. His memory of the battles he fought may have been not quiet so clear in his mind. The battle of Kings Mountain had not yet been made famous by history, and to Amos was most likely , just another battle.
There may have been several battles that Amos fought in, and did not state in his statement to the Justice Of The Peace.
Amos is Shown to have been at The Battle Of Kings Mountain by this listing of soldier that were there. I take that as proof that he was there. (Raymond Church)
Time passed and the democracy began to crumble.
The States united and set up a goverment along the guidelines of Englands, but they wanted to Govern themselves by allowing each State to govern itself. They drew up a Constitution along these lines, and exstablished a Central Goverment to be like the hub in a wheel. to keep watch over the States, to help them settle any disputes that might arise amoung them, and to build an army from their midst that would protect the country from forign invaders.
It was very clear that the states intended to goverm themselves, the reprosenatives of each state refusd to sign on to this pact untill they had a Bill Of Rights insuring that their rights of Independence would be maintained. Amoung these rights was the right to pull out of the Union if and when the people of their state felt that they were being treated unfair by the central goverment, and that said goverment was no longer serving them properly.
All through the early eighteen hundreds the southern states fought politically for a fair deal in the marketplace, The northern states were charging them high prices , and high taxes for goods, and when they started buying their goods from forign markets, Congress passed Tarriffs causing them to pay even more for imported goods.
It was one tarriff after another, and the states that were suffering from this could not raise enough votes in Congress to ward it off. Once again they were living under oppression. They had faught England to break the yoke, now they had it on them again.
Several of the States decited to pull out of the Union. But as soon as they started making motions to pull out, The Central Goverment started amassing a hugh army. It soon became clear that they were going to have to fight for their freedom all over again.
Many of the Grandchildren of Amos, and John Church Jr. lost their lives, and property fighting for freedom over the same ground where their grandfathers had fought. The grandfathers had won their fight, But the goverment that they set up , although great pains were taken to make it a Goverment Of The People And For The People, They did not allow for coruption, they had a check and balance system, But when you get a Goverment where the Number one Man is Power Mad, and the rest are Money Mad, you cant really expect to see anything good come of it.
Our Forfathers who fought for, and set up our country were brave, had very good intentions. This is still a great Nation that they Started. But England was a great Nation before we had to take it to task. You can have a great nation , one strong enough to live forever, and it not be satisfactory to any of the common people.
You can have represenatives, and still not have representation. If you elect people who are already bought off by Special interest groups, even Forign Goverments. Do you really expect them to represent you?
It wasn't just the Confederate States that lost the Civil War, It was all of the common people in America who lost. When Lincoln stood on that stump at the Gettysburg battlefield and made his wonderfull speach, it was pure hippocracy. Lincoln and his Army was fighting against freedom, not for it.