Revolutionary War Soldiers Series: Remembering James Anderson Sr.

Editor's note: Next year, the United States of America will celebrate its semiquincentennial, its 250th anniversary. The semiquincentennial marks the first nationwide celebration of America's birth since the bicentennial in 1976. Of course, America's independence cannot be celebrated without also honoring the efforts of the Revolutionary War soldiers that led to independence. The Waw-wil-a-way Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, along with the Southern Ohio Genealogical Society, will be presenting a series of articles featuring Revolutionary War soldiers who lived and died within the borders of Highland County.

By Betty F. Crum and Pat Young
Waw-wil-a-way Chapter Daughters 
of the American Revolution, 250 Project

His name is on the plaque at the Highland County, Ohio Courthouse, placed in 1930 by DAR – Ancestor No. A002419.

James Anderson Sr. and Rachel Hopkins were married May 2, 1801 in Maryland at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Phillips Hopkins.  

The parents of James Anderson Sr. were Patrick Anderson and Elizabeth Morris.  

Patrick, the father of James was captain of the Chester County Minute Men of 1775; a member of the Assembly of Pennsylvania in 1778 and 1781, fought in the French and Indian War, the Battle of Long Island, the Battle of Fort Washington, the Battle of Brandywine and the Battle of Germantown.

He served as a private in Capt. John Lacey's Company, 4th Penna Infantry, commanded by Col. Anthony Wayne. This regiment entered service in 1776 and took part in the battles at Long Island Aug. 27, 1776 and Ticonderoga July 6, 1777.  

He next enlisted in Col. Stephen Moylan's Regiment of Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was commissioned lieutenant. He was captured by the British, and exchanged in December, 1780. (Family Rec. Pa. Archives. 2nd Series, Vol. to, pp. 126 and 238; Vol. 238; Vol. p. 128.)

Common Pleas Court Records of Highland County, Ohio 1805-60 by David N. and Jane McBride Page 19.

This day James Anderson Senior personally appeared in open court and presented his declaration on oath and also came at the same time, Thomas McCoy and John Haigh who being sworn certify as to the service of said James Anderson as a Revolutionary Soldier and the Court are satisfied that said applicant was a Soldier of the Revolution which is ordered to be certified. Order Book No. 5, 1829-34, page 493, March 15, 1834.

"Wills, Administrations, Guardianships and Adoptions of Highland County, Ohio" 1805-80 by David N. and Jane McBride; Page 187, June 21, 1853. “This day satisfactory evidence was produced to the court that James Anderson, who was in his lifetime a pensioner of the United States on the Ohio Roll at the rate of $30 per annum, departed this life on Sept. 6, 1850 in Highland County, Ohio, leaving Rachel Anderson his widow who has not again married, but remains his widow.”

A copy of a letter from Revolutionary War Records obtained from Heritage Quest June 23, 1957, to “Mrs. A.J. (unable to read last name) Box 379, Arkansas City, Kansas Dear Madam: Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James Anderson, a pensioner, who died in Highland County, Ohio. The data given herein were found on file in pension claim #W513, based upon service of James Anderson in the Revolutionary War. James Anderson was born March 23, 1763 in Chester County, Pa.; the names of his parents are not shown. While a resident of Chester County, Pa., he volunteered in March 1777 and served nine months as private in Captain Nathan Musgrove's company, Colonel Morgan's Pennsylvania regiment, during which he was in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown.  

At the close of the Revolutionary War, the soldier moved to Montgomery County, Md., where he lived for 30 years, then moved to Highland County, Ohio. James Anderson was allowed pension on his application (unable to read) March 10, 1834, at which time he resided in Highland County, Ohio.  

He died Sept. 6, 1850 in that county. The soldier married May 2, 1801 in Montgomery County, Md., Rachel Hopkins, the name of her parents are not known. Rachel Anderson, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on application executed Nov. 13, 1851, at which time she resided in Highland County, Ohio; she was aged then about 70 years; the date and place of her birth are not shown. In 1853, she was living in Bell, Highland County, Ohio.”

James Anderson and his wife, Rachel, had 12 children, six of whom were living in 1853. Phillip Anderson, their son, aged 49 years in 1853 and a resident of Marshall Township, Highland County, Ohio, is the only one whose name was stated.  

In 1853, Richard Hopkins and Jared (Garrard) Hopkins were residents of Highland County, Ohio, at which time they made affidavits on behalf of the soldier's widow, Rachel. No relationship between them and the soldier's family was stated.

1840 United States Federal Census, Name: James Anderson, Military service: Veteran, Township: Paint, County: Highland, State: Ohio  1850 United States Federal Census, Name: James Anderson, Age: 86, Estimated Birth Year: about 1764, Birth Place: Pennsylvania, Gender: Male Home in 1850:  Jackson Twp., Highland Co., Ohio, Household Members: James Anderson, Head 86, Rachel, wife 66, Matilda, daughter 14.