MATTHEWS-HUGH-L Archives

From: "Bill Matthews" <>
Subject: [M-H:] FW: Edward Riley
Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2001 17:06:30 -0500

Here is some information provided cousin Eddie

Cheers, Bill

Sent: Friday, August 17, 2001 1:06 AM

Subject: Edward Riley

To: Edward Benjamin Matthews
From: James A. "Jim" Riley

I received your snail mail letter today, August 16, 2001, and would like to

hear how you got my name! It's amazing how names and other information can
get passed around!

Edward Riley (born 1747) was my great, great, great grandfather as shown
below:
1) Edward Riley
2) Edward Miles Riley
3) John Shows Riley
4) Patrick Franklin Riley
5) Jerry Scott Riley
6) James Allen Riley

Edward Miles Riley was a brother to your Sity Vious (Riley) Matthews.

Regarding your questions about Edward Riley's Revolutionary War pension, I
submit the following:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revolutionary War Pension Application Of Edward Riley

The State of Mississippi
Rankin County
On this twenty-third day of September, 1833 personally appeared before me
Thomas Hughes, Judge of Probates in and for the Rankin County aforesaid, in

the Probate Court now sitting Edward Riley, a resident of the aforesaid
County of Rankin and State of Mississippi, aged about Eighty-five years,
who
being first 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.
That he, the said Edward Riley, entered the service of the United States as
a
Volunteer in the year 1778 under the immediate command of General
Williamson,
who commanded at that time the Troops of the State of South Carolina, was
attached to Colonel McCrary's Company and served under Captain Grear,
continued in the service of the State and the United States during the war
and was discharged at Eutaw Springs, South Carolina; our first tour of
service was against the Cherokee Indians, and after drubbing them into
submission and obedience, was ordered to the siege of Augusta, Georgia, but

in consequence of the reinforcement of the enemy by General Provost was
compelled to raise the siege, with considerable loss, the Americans being
completely routed. In the year 1779, was ordered to the siege of Savannah
under the chief command of General Lincoln over the American Forces and
De'Estagn the French Troops, and attempt was made on the town in the month
of
October, but unfortunately miscarried, our troops again repulsed, the siege

raised and we retreated into the State of South Carolina. This claimant
then
joined the Standard of General Green and participated in the Glorious
Victory
over the enemy in a second attack on Augusta and Savannah in the State of
Georgia. This Deponent also followed the fortunes of General Greene, in the

famous Battle of Eutaw Springs as a Dragoon under the command of Captain
Dillard, but previous to the battle was detached in advance of the Army as
a
spy in company with others, and falling in with a detachment of the enemy,
was dangerously wounded by a ball in the neck, the loss of two fingers from
a
sword, and many other flesh wounds of less injury.
That he resided in District Ninety-Six, South Carolina, at the time he
volunteered as a Private Soldier in the service, has no Documentary
Evidence
in possession, and that he knows of no person within his reach that can
testify to his service. In conclusion, this Deponent would only remark that

time has obliterated from his memory many circumstances and particulars
which
might much strengthen his case, in consequence of which he is unable at
present to make any further statement.
In answer to the Interrogatories propounded by the Court, this applicant
made
the following statement in substance; To wit, That he was born in Lancaster

County, State of Pennsylvania, has no record of his age, cannot say
positively as to the date he was born, believes it to be the year 1747, was

living, at the time he was called into service, in District 96, State of
South Carolina, has lived since the Revolutionary War in the States of
Georgia and Mississippi, and now resides in the said State of Mississippi
and
County of Rankin. Received no written discharge. Messrs. David Ross, Jesse
Hasty, and James Finlay, Esq., has known me a considerable time and now
lives
in my present neighborhood and can testify as to my character and their
belief of my services as a Revolutionary Soldier. And the said Edward
Riley
hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or Annuity except the

present, and Declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any other

state whatever. Sworn to and Subscribed the Day and year aforesaid in
Open Court, agreeable to law Edward Riley (Seal)

Thos. Hughes, Judge of Probates.

We, John Tucker, a clergyman, David Ross, and Jesse Hasty, all residents of

the County of Rankin and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with Edward Riley, who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing

Declaration, have known him a great many years, we are satisfied that he is

at least Eighty-five years of age; that he is a Soldier of the Revolution
and
that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn to and Subscribed John Tucker,
In Open Court, the day David Ross
Cler. & year aforesaid Jesse Hasty

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the Investigation
of
the matter, and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War
Department, that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and

served as he states, and the Court further Certify that it appears to them
that John Tucker, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman,

and that David Ross and Jesse Hasty (with whom the Court was well
acquainted)
who has also signed the same, is credible persons and do each reside in the

County of Rankin and State of Mississippi, and that their statement is
entitled to full credit. The Court would further state that in the absence
of
further proof that might be necessary in the case of the applicant, that
traditionary evidence is amply sufficient to convince them of the Justness
of
his claim, and that the belief is general and no doubts whatever exist upon

the subject of his being a soldier of the Revolution, and that full faith
and
credit may be given to the statement made in his Declaration, and that his
circumstances, advanced age, and bodily infirmities also make him an object

worthy their Patronage and Government.
Thomas Hughes J. Probate

I, Benjamin Bruce, Clerk of the Probate Court of the County of Rankin
aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the court in the matter of the application of Edward Riley
for
a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of
clerks office this 23rd day of September, 1833.
Ben. Bruce Clk
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Notes added by James A. Riley, Littleton, CO:
This is the end of Edward Riley's pension application. Edward married Mary

Elizabeth Wood and they were the parents of;
1) Sity Vious Riley, b. 21 Nov. 1789 in SC and married Allen Matthews
2) Ellender Riley, b. 19 June 1794 (in SC ?) and married Burrell Upchurch
3) Edward Miles Riley, b. 8 August 1796 in SC and married Mary Shows
4) William John Riley, b. 12 March 1803 in GA and married Nancy Collins
5) Tapley Tillman Riley, b. 21 April 1806 in GA and married Salina Bankston

We don't know when or where Edward Riley died. In a special census taken by

Rankin County, Mississippi in 1845 an Edward Riley was included and was
apparently living alone at the time of the census. In a Houston Chronicle
article published October 3, 1933, it appears Edward Riley lived to be 108
years of age. If this is true he would have died in 1855. His wife, Mary
Elizabeth (Wood) Riley, died in 1853 and is buried next to her son; Edward
Miles Riley (and his wife Mary Shows), in the Riley Cemetery north of
Newhebron, MS.

Looking forward to hearing from you;
Jim Riley

This thread:

• [M-H:] FW: Edward Riley by "Bill Matthews" <>