Revolutionary War Pension Narrative
Submitted by Ralph Barnes.
Aaron Horn R5225 of VA Service applied May 5, 1834 in Madison Co., Ky., age 72, states that in 1778 he joined Capt. Riddle's company on Holston River, in what is now Washington Co., Va., which was raised, as he understood, to protect the western country against the British and Indians.
He joined as a volunteer but whether the company belonged to the State Troops of Virginia or not he was unable to say. He understood that it did.
The company marched to Kentucky and reached Boonesboro Fort, which is now in Madison County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1778.
He continued to do duty in Capt. Riddle's company as a soldier in the fort for a considerable time until Capt. Riddle returned to Virginia or was appointed to command at some other fort in Kentucky.
The applicant then joined and was transferred to a company commanded by Capt. John Holden. Afterwards Capt. David Gass was his captain and he also served in Capt. Starnes' company.
Col. Calloway, he believed, was colonel when he first reached the fort at Boonesboro. He was subsequently killed by the Indians.
Old Daniel Boone, after he escaped and returned from his imprisonment among the Indians, acted as colonel.
Applicant was also under Col. Bowman in 1779. He believed this was during his expedition across the Ohio River against the Indians.
He continued at the fort at Boonesboro, to the best of his recollection, until 1783, except when out on campaigns or scouting parties against the Indians.
He sometimes hunted for the fort and was sometimes out as a spy.
When at the fort he performed military duty as an enrolled soldier.
He stated that he served from the spring of 1778 more than two years as a private volunteer in the army of the Revolution under several captains and officers as previously stated.
He could prove his service by Joseph Proctor and Matthias Horn of Estill County, Kentucky.
He stated that he was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1762 and removed to Virginia while young with his parents.
He was residing on the Holston River in what is now Washington County, Virginia, when he joined Capt. Riddle's company.
Since the close of the Revolution he had resided in Madison County, Kentucky, near the old Boonesboro Fort.
Affidavits of Thomas S. Bronston, a clergyman, and Gabriel Duncan stated that they were well acquainted with him and could testify concerning his character.
Affidavit of Major Oswald Townsend, a resident of Madison County, Kentucky, dated April 8, 1835, stated that he came from Virginia to Kentucky to the fort at Boonesboro in 1775 when he was about eighteen years old.
He further stated that in 1778 he knew Aaron Horn, now a resident of Madison County, Kentucky, and knew him as a soldier in the fort from 1778 until the close of the Revolution.
Townsend stated that Horn performed military duty at the fort and was frequently out on scouts and campaigns against the Indians and was always considered a good soldier.
Joseph Proctor made his affidavit in Estill County, Kentucky, on April 23, 1834, stating that in 1778 he came from Virginia as a soldier in Capt. Riddle's company to the fort at Boonesboro, Kentucky.
He stated that Aaron Horn came along at the same time in the same company and continued to do duty at Boonesboro during the Revolution, serving part of the time in Capt. John Holden's company and part of the time in Capt. David Gass's company.
He also stated that Horn served part of the time in the fort and part of the time out on campaigns as a hunter and spy for the fort.
Joseph Proctor stated that Aaron Horn had resided at and near Boonesboro since 1778 and was a man of good character.
Matthias Horn of Estill County, Kentucky, also made affidavit on April 23, 1834, stating that in the spring of 1778 he came from Virginia as a soldier in Capt. Riddle's company to Boonesboro, Kentucky.
He stated that Aaron Horn came out with him in the same company as a soldier and continued at the fort during the Revolution.
After the spring of 1778 Aaron Horn sometimes acted as a spy and hunter and, when at the fort, performed military duty.
Matthias Horn stated that Aaron Horn still resided near the old fort at Boonesboro where he had resided since the close of the Revolution.