Leroy Brizendine (Revolutionary Service)

Contributed by Janet Perdue King
© 2009



Leroy Brizendine was born 26th May 1761 in Lunenburg Co., VA to Isaac and Nancy Brizendine. He declared on 24 August 1832 in Sumner Co., TN that he was aged 71 yrs on the 26 May last and that he was born in Virginia. He was 19 years and residing with his father in Lunenburg County, VA in the summer of 1780 when he volunteered for six months service under Captain Peter Stokes, LT Flora Smiden and Ensign Horatio Walker. This was a company of volunteer horse that was raised to operate chiefly against Tories in North Carolina. They marched to Hillsborough, NC and got a supply of arms there and marched with their pilot upon Broad River. They scoured the country and captured many Tories, whipped some, left some tied to trees and carried 20 - 25 to Hillsborough jail. They continued doing their duty in North Carolina. In the fall of 1780 they marched back (Virginia) and were discharged just before Christmas. At this time it came his (Leroy's) number to serve three months tour of militia. He entered the service immediately under Captain Frank Degratenreed, LT Oley Clayton and Ensign Alexander Rudder and marched to Portsmouth and joined headquarters under General Merryweathers. He (Leroy?) had been a regular officier and was sent there to command the militia. They lay there on the Dismal Swamp and captured some scouting parties and had some skirmishes. He returned home after the battle of Guilford was fought. As soon as he got home Wallis (Cornwallis) was going up the James River so he volunteered April of 1781 in the infantry under Captain Wm Stokes and LT Jesse Johnson. The Company was attached immediately to a Regiment but was engaged in collecting beeves (beef). They carried one to Hogg Island and Cornwallis took the greater part of them. The American Army was stationed at Petersburg under General Washington and they carried a drove for his army. The third drove they carried to Little York during the Siege. He (Leroy) was at York when Cornwallis surrendered. Leroy was discharged October 1761. He filed a Public Claim in August Court 1784 for collecting and driving beeves and finding himself without a horse. Leroy was living in Franklin Co., VA in 1815 along Standifer's Creek some 15 miles east of the courthouse. He moved to Sumner Co., TN ca 1820 and settled in the area of Fountain Head. He was placed on the West Tennessee pension roll at $50.00 per annum 27 March 1833. He received several land grants for his service (over 500 acres). Leroy wrote his Will 8 Feb 1839 (died 23 March 1839) and was buried on his farm. Leroy was honored for his Revolutionary service in 1996 with a graveside ceremony as part of Tennessee's Bicentennial events.



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