Pension Application of Peter Kent

State of Tennessee
Greene County Circuit Court, March. 1833

On this 5th day of March 1833 personally appeared in open court before this Hon. Sam: Powel, one of the judges of the circuit courts of Law and Equity of the State of Tennessee now sitting for the county of Greene, Peter Kent, a resident in the county of Green, aged seventy three 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 passes June 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as therein stated. That he was born on the 5th day of March 1760 in Fairfax County in the state of Virginia. That, as well as he recollects, he entered the service of the United States on the (left blank) day of March 1777 or 78 as a volunteer in the company commanded by Captain Charles Little. That at that time he lived in the county of Fairfax in the state of Virginia. That he volunteered for their guard in Capt. Little's company, and served that length of time under him. He was not all the time in actual service but was frequently called out to guard the country against the incursion of the British who frequently came up the Potomac River and destroyed such property as was within their reach. Another object of the company to which he belonged was to guard Mount Vernon, the residence of General Washington and to prevent the British from destroying it and this affiant, was frequently with the balance of Captain Little's company, call out to effect that object, and always continued in actual service until it was as certained the enemy had left the river. At the end of three years and he was discharged by Captain Giles Cooke, - who had obtained the Captaincy and wrote and signed his Discharge. In the year 1791 all his property and papers were consumed by fire, and he is consequently unable to produce his discharge. During his three years and service afore said he was acquainted with Col. Dennis Ramsy, Major (formerly Capt.) Charles Little and Captain Giles Cooke, and it was said to and believed by this affiant, that Lord Dusmone, during that time, was commander of the British fleet, which sometimes continued in the bay, sometimes came up the Potomac and sometimes for a short period would leave the bay and river both. While living in Fairfax, he again volunteered in the service of the United States in that company commanded by Captain Harrison, on the (blank) day of (blank) 1780, 81 or 82, as well as affiant can remember. Capt. Harrison's company in Prince William County and marched from there to Portsmouth, when affiant joined it. Captain Harrison's company joined the regiment commanded by Col. Arnold or Col. Broadwalins (which of the two affiant does not recollect) with both of which officers affiant was acquainted. They were stationed at Portsmouth, and toward the close of the six months for which he volunteered, an American vessel loaded with provisions, came up and grounded opposite Portsmouth. Captain Harrison's company (affiant among them) had orders to go on board and assist the vessel in getting off. While engaged in this service a British vessel came up, fired on them, killed some of the men, and the balance prisoners, except four, who escaped by swimming across the river, and this affiant among the number. He went home, and was afterward discharged by Capt. Harrison, having on this occasion served six months. This discharge was also destroyed by fire on the occasion above mentioned. While living in Fairfax, he again volunteered on the (blank) day of (blank) as well as he recollects under Capt. Thos. Malloy in Stafford County Virginia. From thence he marched under Capt. Malloy down to Little York, where they were stationed on what was called the Gloucester side on the left of Lafayette's army and continued there until after Cornwallis' surrender, when he was discharged by Captain Mallory and went home. Affiant then knew Generals Washington and Lafayette, Col. Darnes, Major Mark McPhersons and several other officers whose names he does not recollect. Affiant does not recollect precisely how long we was on this occasion in the service but is confident we was out there three months if not more. He has also, for the reason above opigned, lost this discharge. From Fairfax county he moved forty two years ago, to Wilkes County in Georgia, where he resided until 1825, when he removed to Greene County, Tennessee, where he has resided ever since. He has no documentary evidence by which to establish the voracity of his statements and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. He hereby relinquished his every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except that present, and declared that his name is not on the pension roll or the agency of any state. Sworn to and Subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid. Mr. Payne Peter Kent (Signature)