Biography of John Nicks

  • John Nicks was listed as a 84 year old Revolutionary War pensioner in the 1840 U.S. Census of Laurel Co, KY. He was listed as the head of his household.
  • John Nix was was granted a Revolutionary War pension for his military service. His pension file is #S30620. He made application for the pension while residing in Laurel Co, KY. Below is an abstract of his pension application, supplied by Wanda Gregory.

    14 Mar 1834 Laurel Co, KY. Personally appeared in open court before Hon. Joseph Eve, Judge of the 15th Circuit, John Nix, a resident of said county and state afsd. aged, being born on the 11 July 1756 who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in addition to his pev: filed in the County Court of said County on 5 Nov 1832 in order to obtain benefit of the pension benefit of the provisions made by Act of Congress 7 June 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in 1776 for 3 years, a private soldier, under Captain Brown in the line of the State of Virginia on Continental establishment in the Reg. commanded by Col. Lamb. He believes it was called the 4th Reg. His Lt. was Rice Bowling. His Maj. he has forgotten. His enlistment at Winchester in Virginia he was then marched to the North and he was then marched to the Battle of Brandywine (editor's note: 11 Sep 1777 Brandywine, PA), where his brother Francis, first Sargent in the Company was killed. Then he was marched to the White Plains (editor's note: 28 Oct 1776 White Plains, NY)and he was in Battle there. Thence to Humboy in Penn., then back to Virginia. Thence into North Carolina then to South Carolina and was at the Siege of 96 (editors note: 22 May - 19 Jun 1781). Afterwards to the Utaw where he was in Battle (editor's note: 8 Sep 1781 Eutaw Springs, SC), and after serving out his three years, he was discharged at Bacon's Bridge, South Carolina by Adj. Gen. Williams. Before he was discharged the Reg. of Col. Lamb was broke and Capt. Brown's Company was put under a Col. Porter or Poterfield, which he does not recollect distinctly, who lived in the North States as he now believes but in what State he does not know. His discharge has long since been lost. He knows of no persons by whom he can prove his services. He humbly relinquishes every claim to whatever pension, a annuity, except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. Sworn to this 4th day of March 1834. John (X) Nix.

    He was born in New Jersey near Franktown, the year he has given. He has a record of his age. When he enlisted he lived in Virginia about 8 miles from Winchester. Since the Revolution, he has lived in North Carolina, Rutherford County. He now lives in Laurel County, Kentucky. He enlisted as a Private Soldier. He remembers Gen. Green, and Adj. Gen. Williams. He remembers Gen. Washington. As to his character, he refers to John Freeman, David Weaver, Wm. H. Harper, Thos. Robertson, John Holeman, his neighbors. John (X) Nix.

    John Freeman, aged ___ yrs. living in Laurel Co. states upon oath that he has lived a neighbor to the afsd. John Nix for about 14 yrs. From his good moral character he has no doubt his statement afsd. is true. Many years ago he heard him speak of his services in the Rev. & said he had been a regular soldier for 3 yrs. in the old War. Herd him say he had benn in several Battles. It is believed in the neighborhood that he was a regular soldier in the Old War & he ____________ in that belief. Given under his hand & seal this 4 Mar 1834. John Freeman. [John Freeman's deposition was erased not being in court to swear to it. Lot Pitman, Clk]

    We Thoma Robertson, A clergiman residing in Laurel Co. & Will. M. Harper in the same do hereby certify upon oath that we are well acquainted with John Nix who has subscribed & sword to the above declaration, that we believe him to be of the age he states. And we believe that he was a regular soldier & served in the Rev. as stated by him. Sworn & subscribed this 4 Mar 1834. Thos. Robinson. William M. Harper.

    Jessee Hide, aged about 75 yrs. & John Simpson, aged about 76 yrs, who being first sworn disposeth, that they for about 15 yrs. have know John Nix, who sword & subscribed the above declaration. That several yrs. past, they herd him say he had served 3 yrs. as a regular soldier in the Rev. & spoke of being at the Eutaw Springs & other Battles. This took place before the Pension law took place & they have no doubt his statement is true. It is believed & generally reputed for many years past by his neighbors that he served as a regular soldier in the Old War. We concur in our opinions. He is considered a man of truth & has a good character. 4 Mar 1834. Jess (X) Hide. John (X) Simpson.

    And the Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after puting the interragotories prescribed by the War Dept. that the above named applicant was a Rev. Soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to the court that Thomas Robertson, who signed the presiding certificate as a clergiman resident in the county of Laurel afsd. & William Harper or Hargue, Jessee Hide & John Simpson on who has also signed the foregoing certificates are credible persons & that their statements are entitled to credit. I Lot Pitman, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Laurel do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proseedings of the Court in the matter of the application of John Nix for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 4 March 1834. Lot Pitman, Clk.

    War Dept. Pension Office - Sir: The evidence in support of your claim, under the Act of Jun 7, 1832, has been examined & the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing the papers with the following rules & the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. The notes & the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Thos points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margins with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. TABULAR FORM printed next with the following comments had written: Not in Roll, should prove his service as required to wit; Col. Lamb belonged to the N. Carolina Line. It should be stated whether he enlisted to serve in the NC Line & if so, how he became attached to Col. Porterfield's Regt. & at what time he joined his Regt. & any other statements should be given that will show light on the subject. Yours... James L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.

    (Note: He was afterards allowed pension, on his application executed 4 March 1834, at which time he was a resident of Laurel County, Kentucky. James L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions. John Nix; Virginia; Enlisted 1776; No. s30620).