Provided by Deborah Parks
The following is the military record for the War of 1812 for Berry Thurman who lived in Clinton Co from abt 1855-1872. He lived on Ill Will Creek about 8 miles outside of Albany, on the road to Livingstone, TN. Many of his descendants still live in Clinton and Cumberland Cos.
I have received from the National Archives the papers regarding Berry (Little Berry) Thurman's (his signature on all paperwork is ThurmOn) service in the War of 1812. I received copies of his Military, Bounty-Land Warrant Application, and Pension files. The following is a synopsis of each:
Military:
He was a private in the 14th Regiment (Mitchisson's) Kentucky Militia, War of 1812. His service commenced on November 20, 1814 and expired May 20, 1815. He was paid $48.00 for 6 months of service, at $8.00 per month. He was present for the Company Muster Roll on December 31, 1814 at Camp Jackson, and again on February 28, 1815 at Camp Jackson, and finally on May 20, 1815 in Russellville. Russellville was listed as 120 miles from Berry's place of residence.
Bounty-Land Warrant Application:
Berry Thurmon's Bounty-Land Warrant Application was prepared by his attorneys Long, Masey and Wright of Albany, Ky.
"State of Kentucky Cumberland County … this day the applicant Berry Thurman personally appeared before me and made the following statements on oath that he is 58 years of age that he was a soldier in the War of 1812 under Captain Edward Wilburn Kentucky Militia and for said service he has drawn an 80 acre land warrant that he was enrolled in Burkesville Cumberland County Kentucky in November 1814 and mustered into service in the same year and month at Smithland Kentucky and marched to New Orleans and served six months in the 14th regiment of Kentucky Militia under Colonel Parker and from New Orleans Marched back to Burkesville Kentucky in May 1815 and that he supposes the distance from Burkesville Kentucky to New Orleans is about two thousand miles going and returning.
And that Charles Lewis of Todd County KY, James Young of Cumberland County KY, James Lollar, William Wilburn, William Eldridge, and Gilbert Craft were in Company with applicant. And for the aforesaid service he the applicant claims an additional warrant for mileage under an act of Congress approved in March 1832. Given under all my hand June the 30th 1834.
Signed by Berry Thurmon
Affidavits accompanying the application were from John M. Emmerson, William Vann, J. Brents, A. J. Haden, J. Haggard.
Pension and Widow's Pension Application:
Application reads:
State of Kentucky County of Clinton
On this 4th day of April, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and seventy one, personally appeared before me J.M. Bristow, Clerk of the County Court, a Court of Record within and for the County and State aforesaid Berry Thurman, aged 74 years a resident of Clinton County, State of Kentucky, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is married: that his wife's name was Willy Ann Davis to whom he was married near Murfreesboro, TN on the Fifth day of October, 1815; that he served the full period of sixty days in the 1) Military service of the United States in the War of 1812; that he is the identical Berry Thurman who 2) was drafted in Captain Ned Wilborn's Company, 14th Regiment, at Smithland in November 1814, and was honorably discharged at New Orleans in March 1815; that 3) he states that he participated in the battle at New Orleans as a private in Infantry. He states that his discharge is on file in pension office at Washington DC. Received a ball from enemy's gun through the crown of the hat. Witnessed the burial of remains of General Packenham.
Affidavits were signed by Nathan Jarvis, J.J. Wood, Jonathan A. Brents, W.A. Dicken , John R. Cumming, Richard S. Means, J.S. Thompkins
Attorney who filed the application for Berry was Dulaney R. Carr of Albany KY
Berry's residence at the time of application was "on the way on road leading from Albany, KY to Livingstone TN about 10 miles from former place".
Last Updated on Thursday September 30, 1999 .