Muhlenberg County Kentucky
Military Records
Michael Roll Pension Summation
Revolutionary War Pension Claim S.38340
Michael Roll was physically unable to appear in court and made his declaration to Justice of the Peace Solomon Rhoads.
Dated in Muhlenberg County, 24 March 1834, he made the following declaration in order to obtain benefits under the Act of Congress of June 1832. He gave his age as 71 years. He was unable to work because of “bodily infirmities.”
He entered service the first time as a substitute for Andrew Livingston in 1776, at the age of 14, under Capt. Michael Troutman, Col. Johnston commanding the regiment in the state of Maryland. He marched to Brunswick, NJ. Discharged in Spring of that year.
He again entered service in the Spring of 1777 in Cumberland Co., PA, under Capt. James Byrns as a substitute for his father, John Roll. He was engaged in Packhouse service at Pittsburgh. He was marched to Fredericktown when discharged in September or October of 1777.
His last tour of duty began in April 1778 as the substitute for a person whose name he was not able to remember. He served under Capt. Alexander for two months and was discharged at Old Town.
Frequently he served as a scout against the Indians in Cumberland and Huntingdon counties. He was engaged in this service June-October 1778, serving afterwards as a volunteer.
Michael Roll signed his name with an “X” and this was witnessed by Solomon Rhoads, JP.
He had lost all his discharge papers and knew no one who could verify his service.
Simeon Vaught, a clergyman, and Thomas Howerton, both residing in Muhlenberg County, certified they were well acquainted with Michael Roll and verified his age as 71. They believed he was a soldier of the Revolution.
Michael Roll stated under oath that he was born in the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1762 but had no record of his birth. He lived in Frederick Co., MD when he entered service. From there his father moved to Cumberland Co., PA. He continued to reside in PA until 1797 when he moved to Hardin Co., KY, residing there until 1832 when he moved to Muhlenberg County where he now resides.
Contributed by Dorann O'Neal Lam
Updated November 25, 2015