Rev. War Pension App., James Barkus, OH
For Barkes researchers: The Revolutionary War Pension Application of James Barkus (Barkhurst, Barcus), Jr., b. 1760 in MD, d. 1842 in Jefferson Co., Ohio.The application was obtained in1971 from James R. Barcus of Mingo Junction, Ohio, and printed in "John H. Barkes And Hester Ann Barkes: Genealogy And Family Picture History" by Nancy Barkes Wilson, pub. 1982, p. 4:
This pension request docket cover says, "Ohio-Pittsburgh 22614" and is recorded in Book E, Volume 8, page 107.This docket cover shows his last name as "Barkers"----however, the inside documents appear to all spell the name "Barkus"---hard to interpret the writing with a certainty.
"On the nineteenth day of August 1833 James Barkus, a resident of the county of Jefferson and state of Ohio, personally appeared before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county.The said James Barkus, aged 73 years on the 14th day of last March, who being first duly sworn according to laws doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of congress passed June the 7th, 1832.That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1777---he thinks in the month of August.The regiment and line not now recollected; under General Smallwood, Colonel Guess, Captain Hindman, and Ensign Williams.Our lieutenant's name I do not recollect.He, the said lieutenant, shot himself through the leg as we were going to the Battle of Germantown.This applicant further states that he was born and lived on the Eastern Shore in the state of Maryland when he entered the service.That in the year 1800 he removed to Jefferson County in the state of Ohio and has lived here ever since.He marched to Germantown and was in the Battle of Germantown. As he was going to Germantown he marched through an orchard and the apples were ripe.From thence he marched to Schuylkill and from thence to Wilmington.After we crossed the Schuylkill to go to Wilmington, we met with some English who were upon a hill and they fired upon us.We were then wheeled about and marched back to Schuylkill.We staid there until night, and then, in the night (which snowed very hard)we marched to a place called the Gulf Mill.From thence we marched to Wilmington.Whilst we were at Wilmington, one night, as I was standing guard, two duck wagons (Note: the word looks like 'duck'), who had been pressed to haul wood, sometime in the night, were making off.I discovered them and hailed them by asking, 'Who comes there?'.They said, 'A friend'.I said, 'Advance friend and give the countersign.'They did advance but could not give the countersign.I told them they must stay with me until the relief came.They plead hard with me to tell them the countersign and let them go.They even offered me forty dollars if I would do so.But I kept them until relief came, and they were put under guard until morning and then sent back to their duty.I remained in the Army on duty at least six months.Unfortunately, I was taken sick and remained bad for some time when my father came for me.He procured a furlough for me and took me home.After some time I got well, as I supposed to go back to the Army.But my father, supposing that my constitution was so impaired that I was not able to stand a campaign or for some other causes to me now unknown, utterly refused to let me go back to the army.And I now positively assert that it was my wish to return to my duty in the Revolution and I frequently pled with my father to let me return but he utterly refused to let me go.I was then under the age of twenty-one.I served as an enlisted soldier in the Revolution at least six months.I know of no person now living who can testify to my services in the Revolution.Signed James Barkus "X".Attest: Josiah Scott
Abraham Scott, Clergyman, and Richard Vorhes--both state they live in Jefferson County, are well-acquainted with him, believe him to be 73, and that in the neighborhood he is reputed and believed to be a former soldier."
Beulah Barkes