William Richardson first served as a substitute for his father starting in 1777 "with the Capt of Co. C Mullock and Served his time for him under Cm Co P. Hunter. The cavalry being divided into two divisions, each division served one month at a time.(Flowery Gorge) Deponent served in this manner for 2 years, as a substitute for his father until he became sixteen years of age and after that in his own account making in the whole eight months. He next volunteered under one Capt. Culpepper and marched --to join Gen. Linkhorn who was--Black Swamp.----
Marched from Grassy Island of NC. to Cheraw, SC. to Long Bluff to Orangeburg to Black Swamp.----500 men sent to Charleston then to James' Island to guard Hobkaw Creek-----returned to Charleston for 3 months ---rec'd his discharge from one Capt Abel Kolb and returned home. (Just after battle of Stono)------When Gates was marching to Camden deponent volunteered and joined him on the road at a place about 15 miles from the Grassy Island-went on with him and was in the Battle near Camden and rec'd bayonet wound in the forehead. -----taken prisoner---kept under guard for 4 to 5 days when he was exchanged at Camden.
He went back to Hailey Ferry on Great Pee Dee and went on and joined Green"
--marched to a place near Camden(Green and Lord Rawdon)--taken prisoner again and sent to Charleston. Escaped about 8 mos later by hiding in a boat, cruised the waterway up to Coachman's Old field on the Big Pee Dee, walked to Snows Island and spent the rest of the war with Francis Marion.
If you or anyone else can tell what "unit" he was with after the "Flowery Gorge" it would be a miracle. It appears ole Gramps was his own unit. He would join to fight a battle, get captured-head home- meet someone else going into battle-get captured-head home-met up with the Swamp Fox and figured he'd just stay-who knows? He had to do a deposition in order to get his pension, so there are no family papers. In fact we're still trying to prove he's ours at all.
As far as NC is concerned his family was heading to Mississippi (from where?). When they got to Anson, NC they heard about Indian trouble and went back as far as the Grassy Islands. Then moved to Cartledges Creek. After the war he supposedly went home got his brother John and moved to SC, settling in Brittons Neck area eventually. There are a lot of William and John Richardsons in NC and SC in that time period. And a lot of confusion.
Would appreaciate any information you could give me on your John. Maybe we can make a link somewhere.