James Tinder Jr.

James Tinder Jr enlisted in Orange County, Virginia. Served in Revolutionary War 1778-1781. James and Molly Migrated to Woodford County Kentucky ca 1795. Applied for his pension September 3, 1832 in Woodford County, Kentucky. His pension application contains many historical facts regarding tours of duty, as well as the commanding officers he served under. The following is from that application.

 "James was born in 1763 and stated he was 70 years of age when making his application for pension. He appeared in open court before Justices John Steele, Samuel Wallace, Barnett Gaines and William Woodridge. He was duly sworn according to declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed on June 7, 1832.

He was mustered into the service as a militia solder in the Revolutionary Army in the state of Virginia, in the county of Orange, under Captain Richard Gaines, General Stephans commanding the brigade. He entered the service a few days before Christmas in 1778, and served two months, which expired in the last of February. Colonel Thomas was the commanding officer with Thomas Barbour. They marched from Orange Courthouse to rendezvous at Beals Tavern in Orange County, and marched to Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County. He remained at Fredericksburg all winter and returned home in March 1779.

A few days after he returned home he was drafted in the 16th year of his age for two months. He was commanded by Captain Buckner and Colonel Emmerson, Major Meriweather also commanded the regiment. They again marched to Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania. He returned home in the last of April 1779 and substituted himself to serve a tour of two months more in the place of someone, his name forgotten. Nelson Meriweather was the commander and General Stephans commanded the brigade. They marched from Fredericksburg to Bowling Green and from there to Jamestown on the James River. Near the first of July he returned home, and in five days after his return he substituted himself in the place of Nate Olover (Clover) under Captain Roland Thomas, Colonel Edmonson, under General Stephans. They marched to Richmond City from thence down the James River to Williamsburg, returning home about September 1, 1779. In a few days he substituted for Thomas Johnson for two months, and marched to Richmond thence to Petersburg. He was then discharged and knows but one man that can prove this tour of duty; Benjamin Adams of Jessamine County, "If he is still living." That he returned home to Orange, Virginia when the weather was cold, and substituted again for James Sanders for two months, under Captain Chambers and Colonel Taylor Farguard. They marched to Albemarle County and was a guard to Burgoin's Prisoners. He continued on two months more for James Sanders under Captain Burly and the same Colonel.

He then returned home and in 1781 he substituted for Thomas Johnson for two months under Captain George Wayne and Colonel Mathews. That he marched to Richmond where he joined General Lafayette and then went down the James River to Williamsburg. They then retreated to Culpeper County about the time Manchester was burned. The American Army recruited and pressed on Lord Cornwallis and they retreated below Richmond.

He served his last two months with John Stephans whose disposition was attached. That he was discharged at Williamsburg. He was in one more tour of duty of two months at the siege of York under Captain Stublefield, General Lafayette and General Welch. That General Morgan was a regular officer, and General Wayne was also a regular officer. Several questions were put to James regarding his place of birth, etc. He stated he was born in Spotsylvania County, Virginia in 1763. He stated he lived in Orange County, and moved to Woodford County, Kentucky about 1796, except for two years he spent in Fayette County, Kentucky. When asked about the officers he served under he stated he served under General Wayne, General Morgan, General Lafayette and General Washington, as well as Colonel Mathews and Colonel Meriweather. He stated he received nothing but Continental money, $50.00 of which he paid for a knife and his breakfast. "

When asked about persons to whom he was known in his neighborhood that would testify as to his character, and his services as a soldier of the Revolution, several names were mentioned such as Major Herman Bowmar, Samuel Berry, Isaac Crutcher, James Right, and George Blackburn, the present pastor of the church he attended. Witnesses on his pension application were Isaac Crutcher, clergyman William Blackburn, and Notby (?) Flowmoy. James Received $26.66 semi-annually in pension.

On March 23, 1836 James appointed his son Simeon power of attorney, witnessed by James H. Brown and Mary Tinder. James evidently died after his payment in March and before the September payment, 1836 is the last year he appears on the tax list in Woodford County, Kentucky. James was awarded his pension under certificate #7274.