(This page is a work in progress)
The following images are selected excerpts from the Revolutionary War pension application of the widow (Ann Davis Cunningham) of Colonel John Cunningham. These letters appear to have been in her possession and passed on to their son Franklin Cunningham who thankfully preserved them. The best source for the complete 159 page file is from FOLD3.COM. Some of these documents have been transcribed and can be found at revwarapps.com. I was told by the Georgia Archives that the original pension application files are held at the National Archives - it might be possible that the National Archives still has the originals.
Letter from Colonel Robert Anderson to Lt. Colonel John Cunningham circa 1782Col. Anderson was the famous South Carolinian for whom Anderson County and the City of Anderson South Carolina are named.
Letter from General Andrew Pickens to Lt. Colonel John Cunningham circa 1782
Gen. Pickens is the famous Revolutionary War leader for whom Pickens County and the City of Pickens in South Carolina are named.
Letter from Brigadier General Andrew Pickens to Major John Cunningham circa 1781(?)
Appears to be orders to gather his men and march - location not legible.
The document from Georgia Governor Edward Telfair appointing John Cunningham to full Colonel of the Upper Battalion of the Wilkes County Regiment of Militia, May 10, 1786
The document was signed in Augusta, Georgia
Document from Colonel Elijah Clarke awarding Major John Cunningham 900 acres of land for his service as a Refugee soldier. Dated February 28, 1784 and signed by Patrick(?) Houstoun. If this is in fact Patrick Houstoun's name, this Patrick would be the brother of Georgia Governor John Houstoun both sons of Sir Patrick Houstoun. The other brother of Patrick and John was William Houstoun who moved to New York and has a city street in Manhattan named for him (Houston Street). Also note that it was during John Houstoun's tenure as Governor that Count D'Estaing was awarded 20,000 acres of land in Franklin County, Georgia. land which today comprised a good portion of Jackson County.
Document awarding John Cunningham 250 acres of land for his service circa 1784
Authorized by Colonel Elijah Clarke, Savannah, Georgia
Document stating that John Cunningham acted as a Major in the Georgia Refugees (Militia) authorized by Colonel Elijah Clarke. Circa 1784.
Document awarding John Cunningham 250 acres of land free of taxes for 10 years as authorized by Colonel Elijah Clarke. Circa 1784.
Document awarding John Cunningham 900 acres bounty land for his service as a Georgia Refugee authorized by J. Houstoun. Circa 1781. This Houstoun is probably Governor John Houston.
Document stating that Captain John Cunningham served for 3 years in the 2nd Battalion of Continental Troops for the State of Georgia and that he is entitled to "Continental and State Bounty of land". Authorized by Brigadier General Elijah Clarke. Dated 1784, Augusta, Georgia
Letter from Elijah Clarke to John Cunningham circa 1788. The General states that he missed Cunningham's "muster" due to falling off of his horse and hurting his leg badly.
Orders from Brigadier General Elijah Clarke circa 1787 directing John Cunningham to organize his militia into 3 divisions with 1 division venturing into Franklin County under the direction of John Gorham and another division to venture near Scull Shoals on Broad River. This landmark appears to be in Madison County, Georgia and still referred to as Scull Shoals.
Orders from Brigadier General Elijah Clarke to Colonel John Cunningham advising him to restrict his scouts to stay below the Oconee River and to not "act offensively against the Indians" but to keep up stations as usual. Circa 1787.
Orders From Colonel Elijah Clarke to Colonel John Cunningham to organize 3 different companies to meet at "Beard Spring". A Captain Dugley(Douglass?) is noted. Circa 1782. This location could be in today's Floyd County, Georgia.
Orders from Brigadier General Elijah Clarke to Colonel John Cunningham to have his Battalion meet at Wilkes County Courthouse (and make camp). Instructions are for the men to be provisioned and well armed and that they will be paid for their service. Circa 1786.
This document is very hard to read but it appears to be some orders or instructions from General James Jackson to John Cunningham. Only some words and sentence fragments are legible: "and for God's sake let no __ be committed - Corwallis lies still ___ this side of Guilford he is very scarce of provisions. " ___ of the same quantity of beef __ army are plentifully supplied from Halifax and Virginia". "Rawdon advanced to Rocky Creek in my opinion to draw the __ County's from Cornwallis". "God Bless You". Note that the letter is dated March 17,1781 and the Battle of Guilford Courthouse was fought on March 15,1781. Also note that we know for a fact that James Jackson was with John Cunningham at the Battle of Cowpens (they were both Majors at the time) and probably many other battles/skirmishes. General James Jackson later became the Governor of Georgia and Jackson County, Georgia is named for him.
Orders from John Twiggs to John Cunningham to move his troops to join Twiggs' brigade. He instructs Cunningham to send 29 men (Battalion) as soon as possible. He requests that Cunningham instruct his men to cross the river only with Twiggs' order. Document is dated 1786, from "Camp at Shoulderbone". Shoulderbone might be the Shoulderbone Creek above Sparta, Georgia in Hancock County.
Letter from Peter Deveaux to Lt. Colonel John Cunningham (Commander of the Militia at Spirit Creek) providing instructions from the Georgia Governor (Stephen Heard) for Cunningham to send a letter via an officer, 8 men and pack horses to General Greene's camp and return from same under secrecy. They were to follow the River Road. The orders are dated December 22, 1781 and addressed from "Headquarters Augusta". Spirit Creek appears to be the tributary of the Savannah River that is just below present day Augusta, Georgia, Richmond County. Note: Is the document referring to "General Greene's Camp" located near Ninety Six, SC? It does not appear that Gen. Greene was in or near Augusta, Georgia so these orders were essentially sending a small group of men north about 60 miles, a round trip of roughly 7-10 days by pack horse.
Lt. Colonel John Cunningham in command of the Militia at Spirit Creek
(This page was updated on 10/1/2021)